Socialist Challenge No. 30, 26 January 1978
The scan: sc-n30-jan-26-1978.pdf (PDF, Marxists Internet Archive)
Uncorrected machine reading of the whole issue. This text was read by machine (Apple Vision OCR) from the scan and has not been corrected or cut into articles. Each page gives the headlines first, then the columns in order, so one article runs on into the next. Expect misread words. Use it to find things; quote from the scan.
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26, January, 1978 No 30 15p
Socialist Challenge
IRELAND
TORTURED
Scream as loud as you like-Europe won't listen
Shepherds Assemble: 1.30pm DEMONSTRATE 29 JAN
Bush Green,
Page 2 scan of this page
STEELING UP FOR
HOME NE
Editorial
Socialist Challenge, 328/9 UpperStreet, London N1, Editorial 01-359 8180/9.
Advertising 01-359 8371.
After Soares, Mitterrand?
THE PORTUGUESE Socialist Party (PS) and its leader Mario: Soares have resolved. governmental stalemate in Portugal, agreement with the right-wing Centre Democrats (CDS), whereby the tatter will receive thrne Ministries as a price for their support to the ревтроив мілівну ст гогоги Апань
Ever since the massive Portuguese working class in November 1975. It has been the Socalist Party which Mas been the contral instrument for maintaining bourgeois democracy. The situation since then has been marked by a palitical
especially over land reform, the Portuguese working ciass has not allowed the Soares govemment to ride roughshod over its interests.
Soares preferred an alliance with the Centre to one witt he Communist Party (PCP). This was not so much because the PCP was putting forward unacceptable demands, but simply bacause the move could have been misinterpreted by the international bourgeoisie and the working class. naturally have opposed any idea of a PS-PCP goverment BETECIMIY here the PCP had opposed th attached to ita proposed loan to the Portuguese government. The odd PCP minister acceniable. but the POP which collaborated with the CDS.
More to the point the PCP militante would have probably refused to accept the pact for social peace' (austerity measures) demanded by Soares. So Portugal now has a coalition government oppositon BUT INSISTOLd Portuguese capital and is unlikely to lead to any long-term
The Soars experience will provide an Francois Mitterrand and the Socialist Party (PS) in France. With the collapse of the Union of the Left, Mitterrand is
rasponsibline:
French Communist Party (PCF). If the PS emerges as the single largest party, an alliance with Giscard's men to form 5 Ps-dominaled government cannot be excluded, In which case the PCF would be in opposition (through its own choice) in France as well.
Despite its 'Eurocommunis:' stance, the PCF is closer, in some ways, to Cunhal in Portugal rather than Carrillo and Berlinguer in Spain and italy, What this indicates is that it a racio to ascribe ene same tactical quantiCommunist Party in Europe — a common mistake in the TAT OTT DIEDS in Portugal, Spain, France and haly, it is not enough for revolutionary socialists to fall back on the timeless truths
examine our attitude to programme we would put forward for a genuine workers' government. These are the questions we must answar before the European workers' movement if we are not to be outdistanced by the centrists and the Communist Parties
THE FARCE continues. The Laveller and Peace News received a visit last Monday from Sergeants Blackmore and
Altomey General was considering a prosecution against them because they published the name of an army Intelligence
in the court proceedings ünder the Secrets Act against Crispin Aubrey, Jonn Berry and Duncan Camobell.
This is yet another example of the grotesque censorship laws which exist In Britain, We are in compiee solidarity win une Loveller ano Fosce Nows. Ye wHo DIscUssIng with both itaningful over the next few weeks. This is vital because of crampions or pross Tracaom in rice beet wIl not De waging a tearless campaign to defend the quest on, The treadom they detend 1s essantially that of those who agree with them. How many columne will the ideological mercenary, Bernard Levin, produce in farpur of
there be in The Guardian? How many liberals will protestin the House of Commons?
The struggle for democratic rights, including freedom of the press, is not somathing that we can take for granted Left wing papers should understand that while the old trade
All might nos be totally sufficient to deal with our problems, i: nonetheless provides a uselu starting point.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? If you agree with these priuciples and want to be larolved in setivities by Sociaist Chliengr supporters la yourares, Hil in the form below woe sendit Boss:
I am interested in more information shout sctwilber Im my area.
I would the additional recesre and enciese 50p SO CUTEE CUSES (Delete if not uppilcable] Sead to Sociallet Challenge, 328 329 L peer Street. - Lebdon NI.
WS
Distributionand albeit temporarily. THIE They nave reached an
Soares govemment, including the
setbacks suffered by the
economic Portuguese Monater Fund would
conditions
would have been refused to enter a government
with a Communist Party in satisfactory solution for
example to
of an alliance with the TO EVErY
With actual or potantial governmental crises
of dual power or whatever. must
"алопутрив" month, witness Official
papers how we can make this solidarity more
papers in
The British Steel Corporation has offered its 200,000 employees a six per cent pay rise. For the unions to attain their modest claim of 10.9 per cent the corporation has demanded that they accept around 40,000 jobs lost, a pledge to end unofficial action by steel workers. and a cutin bonuses.
Te add insult to injury, BSC boss Sir Charles Villiers will not tell the workforce which plants he intends to close to achieve the redundancy programme. So despite the huffing and puffing in the House of Commons about secrecy. the full extent of BSC's plans for the industry are still a closed book. STEVE POTTER reports.
Villiers has challenged the unionsto produce an alternative cohis proposals. But heisrightly confident that the reformist leaders of the unions are in no position to provideplansthat de anything buttinker around with the same framework which he proposes. Their oily answer 15 to pump more money into the
controls. But BSC is already doing both these things. The problemisdeeper
The world steel industry is in crisis. The main problem is the continued loa level of capital spending. particularly in construction of plants. Sincecapital goods account for about 70 per cent of steel consumption. ine downturn has bit the industry particularly bard.
Capacity for making steel wildly exceeds the restricted marker avadable. In addition new steel industries in South Korea and Brazil sharpen the competition hetween the steel monopolies.
NO SOLUTION
Bethlehern Steel, the USA's second largest seel producer,
production capacity by 1u per
Even in Japan. the world's biggest producer, Nippon Steel has temporarily shut down half of its blast furnaces in irs main production complex.
Bur if the effects on the world's leading steel companies are serious, for Britain they are disastrous. Productivity in the BSC has plunged to three times as low as that in Japan or the USA. The reason is nothing to do with laziness or unofficial strikes.
The British steel industry failed to adopt modern steel making methods after the last world war. Instead, the private owners continued to produce with die outdated open hearth process. By thetimethe need for technological change was forced on them, the cost of re-
quipping wasastronomical. A. their prolin fell only stare ownership (and more to the point state tunds) could bring about the change So Harold
Wilson created the BSC in 1967
pitalise 1s In crie abuur Parts and the trades anions att lutines that are in the inieress, aot of the worken, hetat ine ripistel des.
Socialist CYallerer believe that the toe vila!
Jibe Inhour morement:
• To begin to Tighl for the creatiun sif a uni desaratie aeroludionary social
allumnative by thousands of worker engeard we
Understanding thal
IA FIGHT
with the objecrive of closing down all the unprofimable parts of cbesteelindustry.
The plan eventually emerged in the shape of closing down some 30 plants and trating production on the 'big fire Saunthoroe Teesse Ravenscraig (Glasgou:), Port
The closure of orber plants such ss Ebba Wak. Sbotoc Corby, Clydebridge and so on wes meant to be complered hy 1977. But newly awakened mirancy among steel workers
occupations at the beginning of last year plus lears o1 electoral repercussions, stayed the hand of thesteel bosses.
ALTERNATIVE
Technical changes in che industry are inevitable as are recessions in the world steel industry. The choice for stocl workers is whetber they bow to the demands of the Labour Government and the BSC, adopt the King Canute attitude of forbidding the tide of technical change, or develop a fighrback on the hasis of a plan
weather the stormi of technical change and slump.
OUR POLICIES
traders of th
Stale
2
to all ilese fighting for sociater demeraly:
The first thing that the steel crisis shows is that capitalist nationalisation is no solution to reduidancy. The way forward for steel workers is to srart to maposecontrolover the point of production Forastart, every worker needs to be aware of the plans of the employers, the better to plan thie counter-offensive. This means demanding access toall forward planning documents of the BSC, including the exchange of correspondence between Varley
currently under threat. In particular, the workforce needs know the estimated productionof cachplant Then when the workload does
recessional or tochnical change) ractionshowd betaken to ensure that the work available is shared out among the workforce with no loss of nay - resulting in a shorterworking week.
Half of BSCs workforce is
Marxist Worker Group regroups with IMG
AS A small grouplet which had its origins in the expulsion of the Demecratic Centralist Faction loom Workers Fight in the spring of 1975. the Marxist THENKET Crono Holton Leigh) has always recognised SHE SECUT LOUDERED the tragisented forces of the revolutionary left.
In view of this we welcomed the IMG's initiatives of Socinlist Challenge, Socialist Unity and the mores to and felt l necessary to tuke an active part In ferthering them. discussion and joint work with the ING we consider that there ure insuflicient differences fo justity our continued sepurate
3
assary means the power of abe capitaliv 4
Cir seculem will he mhsticy mon
democratic than whet esist in Britai Today, wich Tul riches Ter in pollicu partin and cumruis that do not make up arms nasiast the sirlatist stale. The Stalinis mod of socidism in the UcH pad fastern tampr base discredited socialisin in the eyes uf millions of warbon arnaghose the wink. We ane opposed to them and will offer fall sappurs
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 26 January, 1978, page 2 already covered by a guaranteed working woek agreement, It was BSC's attempt to take this away that led tothe actions in Januar 1977. This agreement itself i part of the way to the princinle that when production falls The workersshould not suffer, since they are not responsible for the crisis in the seelindustry:
This is an alternative which Charles Villiers will fight tooch and nail. It purs the cost of the crisis on the state, and the BSC For thar reason tis Dot a ans policy for steel workers to win They are crippled by the mos bureaucratic leadership in the labour movement in the shape of Bill Sirs, leader of the largest Neel wrion: the iron and Stee Trades Confederation.
IMPLICATED
Rather than adopt the road of
defend his memhers" jobs Sirs did the
He bas concluded a HUTUSEL participation scheme on the basis of a join! strategy bi managerbent and unions called
'thestectcontract
Sirs is stready up to his nock in negotiations with the manape ment while membership remain in the dark. Sirs backer
Varley and Villiers to disclose тле солте роласлес тот тент до impleted in there cuttin sould be t nians.
The light for workers answer tothecrisisof the British Steel Corporation must there Tone so hand a hand wilhi thi fight to build a new leadership for stol workeri good beginning would be che creation of clocted rank and file action committees in every plant around the policy of fighting for a shoriened working week existence.
Ditterences certainly
around the organisational methods neces sury to the functioning of a TAPE BUT MELIESESHFE and the level sE education repaired ok is around whut we consider to he un inulequate attitude towards sexism; und over the position of the group with regard to the Luinur Party:
But me feel these differences can be worked out within the internal democracy of the IMG. Consequently the Mars ist Worker Group has megrouped with the IMG and me hope to he part of further regrosipments of the fur left in Britain. my that he before die"
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STEEL
Ehbw Vale' GORDON GIBSON reports
Eric Willis, adviser to the Ebbw
readers of thie faultiess tactics Woekers' ELCIE told Mail of the BSC Fitse W'AS INc negotiation for a closure programme. After long talks, the plan was rejocted by the
Not long after BSC came in with a full and accelerated programme no talks, according to Willis. Al the ensuing aegotiations, the unions agreed to original scheme.
ACCELERATED
Anotber BSC tactic was its afler of accelerated closure of oue part of the works -return for a stay of execution on the others. Then, Willis, "A fex months after agreement was reached, changibe trade circumistances meart
the dose teas sei ldn to
De closed as wel since. course — unfortunately -asolute guarantee had been given concerning this closare).
This sort of tactic, linked to the desertion of the steelworkers by both local LUETAHS incudine WHIGHC Foot, MP for Ebbw Vale and
UDOnS left the Works Council isolased, and the writine wis on the aal!
The story of Ebiw Vale is a inle oi woe Not isE Ior aME works under the axe. The sane applies to Port Talbot, one of
Phoio: CHRIS DAVIES II the "Big Five" in the siecl
industiy. The workers been corned. The E182m desclopment of Port Talbor works has been on and off more times than it can be worked out on a pocket calculator.
Last year's electricians" strike was one excuse as Les Sexton. who was one of Lae LeSbeIS, exOL31s Lo. CODEINES Challenge, "Productivity deals, natural wastape. INCHESYE schemes, .Inc TUC/BSC
EMUS BEENVERLI
SHOTTONT
STEELWORKS
B.S.C.
PROFIT-
MAKERS
As BSC nails the coffin
•Ebbw Vale:
Last week, the British Steel Corporation put anther nail in the coffin of the Ebbw Vale Steel works. The Western Mail, South Wales' authoritative morning newspaper, carried an explanation of 'the lost battle of
an economic accepted.
Vale 'Yet despite this, the industry is still in chaos and the workJorce w ssl beins askoo to accept closures and pay rises below the magio 10 per cent'.
Port Talbot will get its investment & ACN SEDO WHE 1 almost oertain — but not before boC MaKes A Tew mors TATcaEs with AsSexton says, "What happens TETRARE works 1s pitca gainst amothet the set the chep. Port Talbot wil VODS JAU LOW YuC aIC!
developed (but not to the degree thar was first promised).
In the meantime, GKN in Cardiff can Import steel billets, Eversone agrees that poo In production is the problem. And when the bottom drops out of sags the market, uneconomic units nave d go. BuL 1s underdevelopment which made the whole of the Britsh steel indestry unccosonical, - по and not the workers. As the unions accept all sorts ol deals to protect the bag plants with the high union: ship and Bill Sirs of the ISTC poli- goes head over heels oftend the Inhour Covern ment, many steel workers carl sce ams war pul except lo lods afler theinselves.
SICK TEETH
Beause they are sick to the Les Sexton soms in teeth. there are cnough people ready to take the golden handshake to pet out of the industry For onoc and for all. Hut chis is a
to agreeto. "They have no right to sell joh potential for the hempiusmend is toxo severe a strike -it is, and short term answers are worthy ol the Experienceshows that BSC will keep biting at the apple and ail the workers will be left with is IE COre
a tale of woe'
: Shotten, East
places like
MT LISS has
membernot ta future.
LICI.
Michael Foot. MP tor Ebbw Vale.
•SHOTTONNO JOBS AVE NU PROSPECTS/TTON NO FUTURE
TOTON SRTTO
STEEL
WORKS
December 1 Union.
E Commu
embarassment.
Scanlon
offeasive. for esecutive Monitors appealed 1o
STEILSSE
the South
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 26 January. 1978, page 3
News
nowhere
Necrophilia in Sheffield REPORTere sil rinteln
Fact political necrophilia carried out Shetteld The occasion was the
shop stewards quarterly of the Engineering
The chief giest none other than the late Hugh Scanlon (RJP), He had come to
award Trom Communist P'arty district secretary George Caborn for services to trade unionism".
The union's broad left were paying their tributes to the dear, departed president. E Caborn was in a generous mood: 'We might have had our little differences, but Hughe is one of us." Hughie was nut in a reciprocal mood. Heresponded by attacking the firefighters for COASSI SEHESTEBOT ment's offer. This was greeted with oers, to caborns prcal
Ir is precisely the inability of the Broad Left to wage struggle against the likes
and Jones that weakens it and leaves lt prostate in the face of tbe combined Labour and bosses
Some whimper!
'IN THE EVENT of a nuclear wur there will be survivors. Will you he amung them?" No. aot a question minsed vul of
Kmus quiz, but part of ar advertisement for 'Survival Shelters" sold by a fiem called Greenbowsin Leeds.
These shellers certainly look useful. Lavishly kitted out, loes cun uso be used 8s a luxury basement Mat, vault or wise cellar', That's a reliel, we hought — we're a bit pushed
space in our Upper Street offices.
Bat there's a problem - - the sheiers are ooly wulluhle le "knowledgeable military, civil, leaders', some of whom UR-AUS ONENOTEER only them? Because at £30,000 andoubtedly be the omes to start a nuclear war, are the only Ih8S. people rich enugh to survive
for whom?
TELEX MONITORS Led. is a London-based company deal mg un second-nand news. Thes lape all news and current affairs programmes on TV and radio. and then sell transcripts to various clients. The latter are usually firms and embassies interested in knowing what bas been said about their particular product or regime. The spectrun runs from Tate and Lyle, through Grunwick, to the embassies of israci and Egypt.
Telex itself is ferociously hostile to trade SUH-OTS. National Union of Journalists memoers woo work there have
ACAS after the firm' s refusal lo neroliate. Onc that
memher who indicated that he was stout LO DMAPEX was threatened with instant
Ic is hardly surprising that the fra's most important client is
African emhassy.
Normally they are concerned solely with programmes dealing with their "internal' affairs,
Biko. "There mader of Steve
There has ODe norahle exception. Followine
from
the Labour Party politica broadcast against the fascist: there was a Nood of' interviews. discussions and "analysis" the bulk of which were hostile to Labour's anti-racist offensive
South Alica House bough the loe. All their orders were marked "urgent". Was thei Interest mainly to discredit Labour or to boost the prestige of the NF to Pretoria, where it could ne argued that the embassy should give financial assistance to aid in its world wide racist crusade Il is also believed that Telex por ide coet regine in
the Smith regime in Rhodesia. A thorough check on this piece of sanction breaking is therefore surely in order. Brazil nuts CONNOISSEURS of indoctrination might he interested in a glossy publication currently circulating around London schoois. Callal Irual Land of the Present and published by the European Brazilian Bank, the brochure provides fascinating details of industrial progress, investment prospects,
The onc tiny omission is the lack of comment on Brazil's shining human rights record and its well-known commit ment to political pluralism. ll seemsthat the bank is concerned that British investent is not in the "Top 5' foreign powers, but they are going about attracting capital in a strange way. With teachers" pay whittled away by inflation, it is unlikely that they have a lot to offer the land of the tuture.
Anti-racist teacher victimised
DESPITE THE swift and wide spread opposition to the 'Spot A Red Teacher' campsign, reported elsewhere in this paper, the fascists have received 3 hoosd ul one scliool. Dave Potter, secretary of Hilingdos NUT. hasbeenput on 'extended probation" after being suspended indefinitely befare Christ-
Potter was originally sepended for using "semational political literature"..in the classioms, MALI-E Anti-Nazi leaflet written in "National Front style"! In addition his motives for teaching at all were mistinned. beine uccased ol being a "political catalyst" and soerecof 'generul unease" in the
ullegations were conlined in u letter from Potter's heudmaster. Many are based on heursay evidence from a smal minorily of stalt. And all of them seein to attack a teacher's autonomy in the clussroom, and specifically a teucher's right to oppose racism in an active and creative way.
Apology IN THIE last NFN, we asserted
Doug Hill. the literary editor of prepuring to relinquish his post because of disagreements with editor Richurd Clements. These concerned the sapposed nompublication of an article concerning the recruiting tactics ol SLADE.
Wenow fally realise thai there was no truth in these assertions and that we were misinformed.
We apologise for any embarrassment that has been caused
Page 4 scan of this page
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HOME NEWS
fascist regime in Britain 'Inflationary'
IS INSECINCELLEU last November's bi-annual conterence wis not unrea cd to the fact that 50,000 power
were Dressine Joi wage-deal well above the Government's 10 per
And despite aborted work-to-rule just In the nest few weeks Socialist
Unity group in most major TOW AS meetings 10 launch campaigns for elections to be held in May. The meetings, which will elect local candidates, are to be open to all supporters of Socialist Unity's class struggle programme, and
will make themselves directly accountable to workers' organisations in their
FIGHTBACK
These are among the decision taken at a national steering committee or SoMal Unk On 15 January, Representatives and supporters of the clectoral alliance — from Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield, Nottingham, Bolton, Oxford, Cardiff. Bristol, Basingstoke, and London heard national co-ordinator Bob Pennington arguc the necessity for a campaien to productivity.
area incentive scheme.
This leaves South Wales the
of incentive schemes, at area or
Wille South Wales SPIL LE
voted 83 per cont against the incentive scheme in the national
ballot, and will still he hostile to the National Coal Board's pit-
based schemes, Yorkshire and
Scottish Area Council decisions
will undoubtedly affect the Souch Wales ballot.
Yorkshire president Arthur
Scargill greeted the news of tbe
Yorkshire arca ballot
reiterating the message of the
left at the national conference:
*I have said repeatedly that an
incentive scheme will result in
More CeREAs Serious Roadents
and industrial disease', he
Sienned.
*It will result, I believe, in al
least thirty pit closures over the
next five years. It will mean an
cnormous increase in physical
effort on the nart
Power workers ready to fight
The working class could apparently bring about a
by asking wage-claims! This is the gospel according to Tom Breakwell, an executive member of the Electricians' Union, reports RICH PALSER.
workers are stil in a militant OCOTCATES the
Negotiations by four unions - the EETPU.
Untion, Engineering Union and cent the General and Workers 90,000 workers in the power
Socialist Unity:
'In gear for May election'
by COLINSMITH show the necessity of a their fightback against the attacks on local living standards of the working class, against racism and for women'srights. "Socialist Unity stands in elections to stimulate and encourage struggles against Lahour'spolicies.
CANDIDATES On the question of Socialist candidates and organisations, established: we will support those candidates standing on a cluss struggle programme. which stimulates the self activity and self-organisation of WOrKINE CISS oppressed against aspects of the crisis. For this reason support for the Communist Party candidates was rejected.
Other decisions taken were: * Further approaches to the SWP and other otber lett-wing
Miners: The incentive scheme saga
«More deaths,
accident
and disease'
In Tynemouth last July, miners voted for a wage claim of £i35, rejected the 12-month rule and opposed any increase in wages being lied to increases in
Seven months later, the wage claim is effectively buried, the 1 November deadline decided on by the miners' conference has elapsed uneventfully, and in the past week, the NUM's strongest fighters Yorkshire area — voted 63 per cent in favour of an
members who receive bonus
Scargill is right. The increases won through schemes, which stand to be as much as £25 in 'easy be blood money.
Board and the Government have been prepated to accept such increases,
entail, becaase they hope to militancy of the splitting pit irom pit, area froes by arca — with wage rates being determined he the particula! local scheme.
Conley and the rest of the right wing on the NUM pled sl over the democratic rights of their memhers in their collaboration with the eulployers. right betional ballet in an attempt to al our overturn the conference dec
indastry are due to be settled in
for March.
The negotiators meet the employers again on 2 February to get their reaction to a claim whieb includes the consolidation of bonus earnings in the basic rate, reduction of the working week to 35 hours, an increase in holidays, increases 141778 Transport 'substantial Increase"
Kings.
Municipal The last point in the claim is
discontinuation of clause 202 in the agreement, which groups for jointelectoral slates. production Socialist Unity provide guidelines groups on the main themes of
* Promotion of black and women's Socialist Unity to discuss their particular problems. •N echool for Socialist Unit candidates and clection agents before April. • The acceptance of Socialist Chalenge s ouch or a tour pace supplement in the run-up to the elections.
'DRY RUN'
Fromnow on Socialist Unity is in gear. As Paul and the Big Flame said,
elections will be a 'dry run" for the general clection later in the Kean,
last year added: "Local issues must he used now to highlight national politicalissues, JONATHAN SILBERMAN ision on incentive schemes. Following the endorsement of this decision in the 55 per cent national ballot rejection of the scheme, the executive decided to overturn the result of the bailor. Ar the same meeting. in December, it decided - the
decisions 12-month rule.
Scottish area pressdent Mick MeGahey Communist Party ally pronounced himself to be productivity in lavour
productivity". pits, a smack The Coal Solsgirth Colliery miners took Labour strike
council's support ph-based mcentive scheme
SABOTAGE miners by When the left leaders did
attempr to opposition to the sabotage TACT RACH DECLIN was by taking legal action, Not surprisingly, the court ruled in favour of the right wing every time. Scargill commented the second occasion: "I beliere this judgement should firmly convince any, trade unionist called that it is useless hoping for
justico in the courts of this land.' This may have been good
ments.
ment's pay poly,
ment.
EETPU, Frank Chapple, backed the
in carb- three
ians"
ical warning
bargaining was needed.
pamphlet. 10
for local limit, Chapple declared
within
THIS
Thompson of
the local
NOT
Socialist
overwhelming
proposed
- again al conference to respect the
a member of the
continu-
'increased
This gOL hims ir the face when
action against the area
for a
co-ordinate their
execulive s London N1. in October and,
the productivity deal.
for a special
effectively wreck the Govern-
and will almost certainly be thrown our by the power-indusiry manage- ically
So how is it that the
led by right-winger who bas Government's 'battle against inflarion' thr- bis control. ough wage limits for the last
years, is taking such STRATEGY stand? The answer lies in the substantial shift in the balance of forces inside the Electric-
Union, and the risin apposition from the rank and
Despite Breakwell's byster-
at the last conference, the EEPTU execu ive was forced to pu productivity resolution which stated that a return to free callective
*Only a miracle' could stave off a catastrophic strike in the power stations if the Government stuck to its 10 per cent short
MISTICE
ROYS
The above photomontage is one in a set of six postards designed
by Poler Kennard. Set of 6 for E1 from SC, 328/9 Upper St.,
oducation, but no miner had
been organised to fight against
Board
When the time for the left to
move was most opportune al
the executive meeting which
followed the result of the
nationalballot — the left failed
to act al all. lestead of calling
conterence: K and other
prepare the fight for the wage
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 26 January 1978, page 5
This 'left turn' was rocently followed by an BETPU Tole in
the firefighters al the TUC General Council.
But in spite of this change of heart', Chapple enthusiast-
jolned the press witch-hunt of those power workers who took unofficial action Just before Amas He wants any action on the claim to be kept firmly under
Chapple's "strategy' is pressure the Government into accepting a compromise wage deal which be can then sell to his members - but which will somehow keep the Covernment's policy broadly intact.
The key to that is agreement on
Although further productiv-
rs denis are DoDossib
0.000 joba bave been lost i recent years - Chapple wants
those past productivity increases to be rewarded now, in
simply wants
"flexibility" in applying the 10
FREE
NOT CULTYN
FREE
T CHRIS G point SENT TOME
Ý NOT GUILTLE
Bringing [their] justice home. Students from Bradlord University were joined by Grunwick strikers when they picketed the house of Judge Stucley in London last Friday. He had turned down the appeal of Bradiord student Chris Roys against a E50 tine for allegedy using threatening behaviour on the Grunwick picket line. Stuclay found the prosecution's story very
claim. they said they would
wait and see what the Coal
came up with! This
allowed the right wing time to
marcha their forces ani
relaunch their assault
united attempt by
Yorkshire, Scotland. Wale:
arcas to call an
unofficial rank and file
per cent limit.
Power workers should bave no part in this special pleading. Industrial action by power workers could casily win the full claims. Lolike the miners — whose strikes cake six weeks to result in power cuts — even a work-to-rule by power workers causes power cut: immediately, as they recently demonstrated.
Unlike le hot even he ess troops could not even
effoctively break a power workers" strike. If the power workers want to ensure that they win their claim, they should not rely on the leader of the four unions involved:
Scanlor the gentlemen who did nothing for tbe firefighters. The future co-ordination of those shop stewards who launched the last unofficial action will be vital.
A conference of stewards in the power stations in late February should be the place
aisess the management's offer and prepare for nationa action on the claim
TGUE
G conference would bave been the only effective way to providenn alternative to tbe right"s manoeuvres. Scargill, Me. Gahey, Williams and Co missed the boat ugain.
With the lack of effective apposition to the right wins the choice for the rank and file began to look like a wage rise through a productivity deal -or no wage rise at all. Gorky and Co had won executive support for the 12-month rule so any fight for the claim would now havetostart inMisch, one of the worst times for the
INSULT
Scargill's rea council thi addod sult to iniur Increasingly isolated, and with no preparation, the wren counci
suggested that the alternative to
an area incentive scheme was an area strike - without even so much as a hint that Yorkshire
could unite with any other area.
Moreover, in contrast to the
national ballet when Scargill
launched a massive campaign
against the scheme, the arcu couneil made no recommend
ation this time on how the
miners should vote!
The incentive scheme saga ha:
almost come to an end. The left
in the union has suffered a
defeat, and failed to organise
the rank and file for a light. But
the miners" militancy remains.
Within a day of the Yorkshire
scheme decision, miners at
Parkhill colbery. near Wake
field, were on strike in protest
at their bonus payments
There is still the opportunity
to build a fighting left wing in
the NUM. With eyes now set on
the annual conference prepar
ations, this is the task to which
Page 6 scan of this page
Fighting fascism-
TWO problems
when considering "which way forward for the anti-fascist movement. first la the necessity of a workers" united front against fascism. This was the strength
Socialist Challenge article which cor rectly raised the concept of a unitary organisation within which different ideas could be raised The other and fought need Is to TOT
overcome the obvious absurd Ity of various sectors of the eft organising three or lour counter-events to a single NF demonstration. In the shor tern, it is and has nossible to avoid the latter mistakes on occasion.
The first problem is more TED LanES. again in the short term, it is sadly very unlikely that we can create a mass permanent and unitied anti-lascist organisation. divisions in st DIVISIONaL reformists believe that antifascists should avoid at all
should rely on the police and courts to Implement the Race Halations ACl
are propared to stop the fascists organising are often regarded as being
papers!
by Betty Hunter TO A Maze of publicity, the fasciss Have announced Ene lunchingof a campaign against "red teachers', But the evidence suggests that the NF do not as
like the sapport in schools to distribute the thousands of leaflets being churned off their secret non-
But from reading the papers. you'd think half the school students in London were in the
NF. From the press conference to launch the pamphlets, to the articies quoting NF attacks on
the 'Somebody's Daughter TV
programme, the media certainly gavethe NF uneasy ride.
DANGER
Teuchers and anti-racist organisations.
organising against the potentiai
dunger, SHUTCE
Christmas, Fast London NUT
sent a letter to schools urging
teachers to discuss the situation
whai to de.
response, which has involved
many teachers prestously
Ianctive in union affairs, has
seen leaflets put out, letters sent
to parents, meetingsheld.
LEAFLETS
The National Enion of School
Students, in collaboration with
RACISM & FASCISM
which way
forward?
virtuaily in the enemy camp -consider just about every ning Sue Sapman has said on the lssue of fasciam in the past pend nis doesn t mean wat possible periodically involve quite large
fasciet activities; this occur rod, in varying ways, on the 23 April demonstration and in
Failure to Involve broad sections of ine. movement means that we risk and SHUTTE platform position into a recipe or kamikaze tactice. But the creation of a permanent united been tront agans, lascism,
would actually organise, Is not
It is in the context of what is to be done in the next months that many of the points made by Dave Wise of the Merseyside Anti Fascist Commitlee are very valuabin. There is no
Coordinating Committee of anti-fascist committees is at present the most signiticant
and being
tascists.
The fact is that Campaign Against Raciem will not organise Tne A z explicitly that it is in business JuBt to
How to spot the
YNF - read the
local groups and organisations like the Anti-Nazi League, is already leafletting schools. One NESS told Socialist "school students aren't hull so gullible as thes re made out. A lot of kids are ready to kick shit ut of tlem (the NF) if thes turn up',
ONSLAUGHT
quick responses as that of NUSS are counteracting the sought in the schools. Teachers and students must begin to argunise so that any NF foolhold in schools can be stopped. The NF istryingto gain nationul publicity for the local elections in May, and also to recruit young already becometomorrow 'ssdalmarts.
Their orientation towards Before youth is hased on a serious
STACOLAS O WITHE can he won. As the economic silustion staunates. the expec
The cations of a soung generation
brasght uo. expectine an ell lent Welfare Scate with wider job choice and broader educalion than that of their purents,
cuts and unemployment mean HELLES BU TUNT ELVIEE SPE future for the youth. And it b easy for the N to simply blame black people, and leachers for
provide proeganda and will not be a body to which groups can atarate in me sense or tang
Whir these limits it still has a positive potential, 1s somewhat mysterious inner functioning and stater unwillingness to movement means that the ANL will not produce an antitascist organisation labour The NCC has over.
affiliated committees. open to aorce with its 8ns. include an acceptance of the no platfarm position, Having SAID TOILET add that the NOC has still to win the affiliation 811-1ascist and racist groups. Perhaps more must be grasped that the NOC CHOLER turned working class united front we must aim at, just by a process of arithmetical growth. Failure to understand this leads to the tamiliar join us"
In late May. anti- elections. the NCC and the All
London Campaign Against Joint RACIST BNO FaSCiSm InTenD 10
hoid a The conterence hopes lo deal with two sets of problems. Firstly, it wants to open up a the fuilings of the education system. some Enless this situation is met memher with regular propapanda which Challenge: explains the
organisation of school students alongside all those fighting fora better standard of life, the NE will grow. A meeting has been organised for 16 March by the All London Teuchers Racism (ALTARF), which already lans the support of six of the ILEA's 11 associations. important in MovieSidespread the NE's on- proving how
teachers' opposition to racise has hecime, will be uhle to map out together with school students und parents.
ALTARF Meeting 16 March.5.30pm WID WHI
Central Hall, Westrainster
right
Badge available from SC Badges at 15p each [plus 7p P+ pl. or 11p each for orders of 10 or more [post free]. PO Box 50, London N1. Cheques to J.
COMMENT
democratic
but fascists and oursalvis We
chester police sixty
all committees that
which tactics by anti-lascists.
The second major discussion
of many ACTIVISTA
important, and to ing Into 1ne delegates from local conference
organisations SCOTAGE SHECHE after the local the question,
May cante
conference
right direction.
Andrew Jankins by John Thackuru THE MEDIA
grease-haired
pitifully small,
opposition.
Education TV Inner need for sell-
Against Fascism
as well as property to political
further united action
Racism ATL
violence"
violence in the area.
which it was hoped
dabate.ona number al political issues that have emerged in the past period.
that the Struggle cannot be reduced to a punch
TWO -5108
to be able involse working people on our
particularly from the black communities, and Man-
Anderton spelled out juat how the state intends to take part
sophisticated
of will be on the organisation of anti-fascist
broaden the base of the NCC
improve its function-
will be open ta antifascist and racist groups and labour movement bodies. as well as from national political
The short term answer to
Which way the anti-lascis is to build the This only
have to travel, but it is in the
The oldest teenagers
since Tutenkhamen
gave much pregnant
attectionto the launching of the
National Front's campaign in education last week, with press
conferences to launch the How tospot a redteacher' leafler, and
interviews on the TV for the
YNF "leaders".
public appearance, the YNF are
already ngainst widespread
Last Saturday, the fascists had
said they would picker the main
centre of the Education
Authorite. Supposodly, a huge
crosd of 13-L5 ycar olds would
turn up to protest abour the
"multi-racialism' of the prog
ramme 'Somebody's Daught-
er', a new school TV prop
Redbridge Blues
IN AN amazing about turn
Rodbridge council have rever-
sed a decision, taken two weeks
ago, lo hire out council
cher than the sig three
Within a fow days of this
decision the council have
refused the hire of a hall to the
Jocal anti-fascist group. The
lodbridge Campaign again
FaSCISTE
all-parly group, have been told
fascist group
meeting held by them "would
he lane to disruption and
COUTLI
The carlier decision to impose
from RCARF that the counci
refuse to hire out halls to the
NF after incidents of racial
RCARF had planned to hire
lord Town Hall for a rally at
Trevor council
Brooking, Miriam Karlin and
Darid Edgar would speak.
Hueil. a saokes
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 26 January, 1978, page 6
HE NATIONAL FRONT
BA NAZI FRONTI
TOP THE NATIONAL FRON
OR 1885.
Lea
ramme featuring a shite girl
by her black boy friend. Albaugh no member of the NE could haveseen the prog ramme, which bas yet to he broadcast, the rag Spearhead hai anacked the programmie as "revolting — it's sheer poison" In the event, the massy teenagers promised by the NF turned out to he a motley band of NF chugs no more than thirty strong. As usual a large police contingent was on hand to protect the fascists. But as one ocalanti racist putit, 'ifthey're teenagers. I'm Sir Robert
The cream of fascist south started their nationwide camn paien with the slogan: "Nigger
lovers. we'll send you to Moscow ina coffin'.
About 350 anti-racists from
person for RCARF. said*Redbridge council by their Premous treat that the Ne have shore present to democracy. The NF have been very active in the Barking and Ilford areas intimidaling members of the local Asian commonity and violently attacking local momDers of the Young Communis League who have attempled lo hand out anti-fascist leaflets. When a broad based anti-
is formed to counter their evil influence thes are actively hampered try 3
scared Front violence. The council did not ask RCARF uhout sewarding arrangements now did they ask the local police for their views they simply suid no, althogh the previous week they had refused to ban the NE.
RCARF hope to pressure ti
changing tbeir mind. I this is not possible tbe meeting will he held in alternative premises.
Data: MIKE
South London had been mehilised a: only three days notice to oppose the NF picket.
Why ACTT members working at the centre, suppori came from broadcating teachersand journalists
as well as from Ballersea Trades Council, The
Arti-Nazi •LUDUUE Ecague and anti racist groups underthe ALCARAF banner
Having occupied the rowi outside the TV centre, the anci racists voted to march through local working class areas to Claphat Junction. In only a mile, the march grew tooser 500 people that example of the ACTT sho which iniriated and maintaine: this unity of action. can be the basis of opposition to any more moses hy fiescists to organise
Reading Rampage
Coancil Community Relations were attacked last week by a gang of racist thugs A man rang up the ROCR director and ciaimed it was the work of the Kle Klux Klan. Local police have denied thal the KKK exists In Britain. The Reading Chronicle reports thai
group of right-wing extremists based in London uses KKK methods and was responsible for the attack.
The police said: "We are treating this as an isolated case of criminal damage. This is typical, The indulgence of the Brirish police. terrorist and fascists well-known Given Special Branch infloration DI TEENE
wing groups (or do they just
concentrate on the left?i ibe
should know what's going on
For it is anything but isolated Why chen are there so few
prosccutions of rightwinger
carrying out terrorist activines:
Ther Reading case merel
Elustrates this point turther ane Jocal anti-fasciars are making independent Inquines
Page 7 scan of this page
Daily Express recently pub- For the first time since 1975, socialists within the
can't be kept
in their place
reveals the
decade.
children, writes CELIA PUGH.
against lesbian mothers, example, liberal sections of the mass media have sympathetically examined this question.
Who could have imagined such
* Equal pay now.
N
OK
Rib
from The Other Bookshop,
Creche, Emergency phone: 061-226 1520, Now issue out Friday includes: vanica way Feminist Current?; debate on
NAC and Sexuality: contribu-
Racism and Fascism group.
Women and Ireland group, and
Working Women's Charter
Camazion: discussion
Women and Soclal sm
'Capitalism, Politics and
SEXUAL POLITICS
Why 51 per cent
of the population
Scarcely a day goes by when the media does not have some item which — in however distorted a fashion
growing influence of the women's movement and the ideas it has generated over the past
Noone can now ignore the challenge to the notion that UNTHINKABLE women's place is in the home: as passive sex objects sacrificing their needs to those of their husband and
In spite of the initial outrage' athing evena few yearsapo?
for The manager of a Tesco supermarket can be made to apologetically withdraw from rapist, A newspaper such as the
The six demands of the WLM
* Free contraception and abortion on demand.
* Free 24-hour community controlled nurseries.
* Equal education and job opportunities.
* For financial and legal independence.
* For the right to a self-defined sexuality.
March fol
abortion abortion) rights APRIL
EQUAL TRICO
WOMAN'S RIGHT TO WORK Photomontage: RED RAG. Most of these badges are availabie
SOCIALIST FEMINIST
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
27-29 January, Manchester Registration, Friday 27 January, 6-11pm at
food and accommodation all available.
Socialist Woman
Personal Life': and USA; plus book reviews. nấp. Subscriptions £1.50 for lour issues. 300131IS1 Woman Reigocrest Lid.
Street, London N1 2XO. Please make all cheques: POs payable and to Reigocrest Lid.
lished the views of mower workers" wives on why they supported their husbands strike
The ideas and actions of the women's movement have perte trated every corner of this male-dominated socicty, provoking a response which ranges from sympathetic support, attempts at assimilation, to fieroe attack In short, we can now speak of
'women's issue millions of women and men have an inkling of what is implied.
Questions such as child care, гадс, women папете, дрогtion and the repression of gay people are no longer seen as purely individual concern
Many of these questions are being raised within the labour DON COCHA again would have been virtually unthinkable a decade ago. Who
the TU Can the Labour Party
could be made to register thei support for free abortion on reguest, as happened in 1975
This is among the ments thathave been clocked up by the Movement. and the campaten which it has the Working Women's Charter Campaign demands that adopted as official policy by many union organisations: and the National Abortion Campaign. which has led demonstrations of over 20,000 opposed to compulsory motherhood
That is one side of the picture, But against the renewed impetus of women to snap the chains of their oppression stand some of the most powerful ideas that assist in wreckage of latter-daycapitalist sociery.
And many of these ideas -fundamentally that places in the home — tand their most fervent supporters in the workers' movement. There are far too marry examples of how these ELLISHNEY divided working class men and women: in failing to support women astrikes; in ignoring the closure of nurseries, and otber public expenditure cuts which
clo to make woman's prison; in denying the C RESIST right of women whether to have children.
The ability of the labour movement concerted onslaught on living
depends on its willingness to Interests of all working people snd oppressed society. An obvious step — and yet one that has still to be broadly accepted — is support for measures to aid women's participation in the labour
meetings: right of
meetings held during working
CONFIDENCE
Women's groups workplace and in the community — have led women to a new
recognise and fight for their owninterestsand demands, The Women's Liberation Move ment is amessential backbone to this development.
And that is one vital reason why all socialists must support
independent movenseDt,
Through the WLM's discusinternational sion and analysis of women's
learning how 10р poratewomen's interests within our own programme, and win orders 1o: c/o increasing numbers of women 328/9 Upper to the side of revolution social necessarily need to continue after the political defeat of capitalism
the far left. experience. matters of private or
something that
achieve-
Women's Liberation
pawned, such a:
with its ten have been propping up the
women's
ideas have
the home
to choose
oppose 11ПE
Aged a
the family.
creches at union recognition of the women to caucus;
They hegan
standard of living. right 10 - in the
cities oppression.
Lhe sharpening of
Government, SUCHEESE ILTE best to incor
that
Further information from: Radical Midwives, 19 Bloomfield Crecent, Leeds 6. The women's movement is one of the most long lasting results of the youth radicalisation of the late 1960s. At that time, large numbers of young educated women found themselves on student camposes and in the expanding white-collar, semi-professional sector.
But they rapidly discovered that the expectation they would eventually become housewives and mothers still dominated the attitudes of those responsible for their education, training and employment, write PENNY DUGGANand SARAH ROELOFFS.
From these conditions cme-
womch's movement which challenged the distortion of women's social, sexual, political and coonomic life by
Ar the same time, women industrial workers were beginning to demand that the higher aving standards and Denc enefits won by the strongly unionissed sections of the working class be extended 1o their own pay and conditions
to question the smootiontier women's work was worth less than men's, and that women didn't have the
job or a decent In the late '60s and carly "70%
of women met ou college campuses and in many
discuss their They quickly responded to the need to support women workers: such as the Ford machinists in 1968 the night cleaners campaigo and the many other equal pa struggles of the early 19706
This experience, together with
the class struggle against the Тоту pendent
forced the women's movement to hegin to define its political standpoint 1972 saw the first of the Women and Socialism current of ferences, which discussed not only the relationship of women's movement to th workers movement but als developed a theoretical under standing of women's oppres
Wo.nen's Liberation Movement are meeting this weekend at a national conference. The issues that will be discussed have a wide relevance, not least for the current debates on programme and strategy on On pages 7 to 10, Socialist Challenge carries and contributions on the impact that the women's movement has made, its growth, and the debates within it. We hope that in future issues other women activists will contribute on their own ideas and
MARGE WRIGHT of the Society to Support Home Confinements speaking at a Radical Mid.
vies Conference held in London on Saturday. Sixty attended, to discuss issuee such as:
altomative patters of pregnancy and childbirth; re-astabilshing the confidence al midwives
in their own skiis: and encouricino them to allow the sctive carlicibe on of women in birth.
How the women's movement
is hammering out the message
sion. This included debates SUCH AS At On LEE COIC DE domesic lahour in capitalist The defeat of the Tories in 1974 ushered in a new political situation. The Labour Govern ment came into office with promises of a better life for all included. The Labour Government and the trade union leaders quickly disregarded these promises.
This has led to a discussion in capitalist system. the labour and socialist move ments about alternative policies and forms of organisation to those offered by the labour leaders. These discussions have been reflected inside the Women's Liberation Move ment (WL.M).
The campaigning activities of the movement have raised many fundamenral questions. With whom should the WONDER'S movement ally itself? On what and socialist movements political basis should women organise, and what forms of alsoexposed some of the gapit organisation will give women's holes in many trade unionists struggle for liberation the grealest impact? What is the relationship berween an inde women's movemen: and political parties?
These questions of strategy exploring the relationship are being taken up by differen currents in the WI.M. socialists in the movement is about to have its first conference since This conference is an important sere women's movement is essencial for uniting women of
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 26 January, 197B, page 7 many different political perspecrives in a struggle for its six demands. However, that unity should not prevent the most open and democratic discus sion between ditferent political positions in the movenient. As the class struggle deepens and the WLM is forced to choose its allies, we are confident that large nombers of its activists will throw their weight bebind the working class in the struggle for socialism, just as increasing nubbers of male workers are being WON to the side of women'sstruggles
The development of a strong socialist current can strengibed he ne to win inter women's movement standing of the necessity for alliances with the lahour move melt and other oppressed sections of society against ou commen enemy
The receat formation of
groups Like Women Apains
and Women and Ireland, together with the exemplary role played by women from the WIM or tbe Grunwick battle lines have served to develop the link: between both feminism socialism, and between the WIM and the broader labour
By such self activity, we have
understanding of soicalism, nor least Scargill's attitude to sexist,
Socialists in the WIM should sec one of their centrul tasks as
between a movemicot fo The women's liberacion and ch struggle for socialism. This is why we welcome this weekend's conference for an open socialise feminist journaland for a future conference 2215155 revolutionary socialiir strategy forwomen liberation
Page 8 scan of this page
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 26 January, 1978, page B could be liberated." W TE ARE ONLY beginning -under the renewed impetus of the women's movement - to sec the complexity
issues raised by the questions posed in the introduction and the limitations of classical Marxist analysis of women's oppression in acknowledging some of the problems and providing answers. This is really a plea against the traditional temptation of seizing facile answers because they LIC USCOUNT ngainst an opposing point of view. and thereby transforming them to a new orthodoxy.
Of course, we cannot and should not avoid political argument — any more than we can avoid action Decause we don t fuly understand the historical, theoretical. practical relationships between women's oppression and capitalism. Bat we must, against the more soctarian traditons of the British left, try to develop our understanding by drawing into it the experiences of political practice and discussion rather than reverentially repreating the words of Marx, Engels, Lenin, Trotsky...ot by responding to criticism or awkward questions only acienve
First, let'slook at some problems of some of the historical questions. Women's oppression pre-dates capitalism, But has it been a feature of all human social life? Is that what history means? Or were there matriarchal societies in the distant past among groups of people living at a level of bare subsistence before a surplus, relationships, was produced Was it the development of the carliest class societies which gave rise to the "world historic defeat of the female sex" and the increasine y unversa development of parriarchal societies,
This is not just a debate between bourgeois intellectuals (rellecting a bourgeois concern to keep women out of history, along with other peoples) and socialists. It is also an important debate which has emerged from the women's movement and which, in my view, is open to much further and fuller development before ether interpretation can seem adequate
These interesting. but crucial are they! How far do they help us to identify the exact relationship between patriarchy and capitalism now and to draw out the strategic implications for the struggle Tor wollen's liberation? It is not necessary to know that matriarchal societies have existed in the past in order to see that women could be liberated. For example, the argument that women's oppression is 'natural, a 'fact' of biology, can be defeated without reference to
However, some extremely important issues LIL TRIC CHICO COL GETT seeins that throughout history the sexual ditlerence between male and tema c nas Doc socially and psychologically defined into distinctive sexual identities masculine, and socially and economically into a sexual division of labour. TIC PrOUSe content of these distinctions, which have been softerence as void ear by fro difference, has varied enormously society to society, from historical period to historical period. And the extent of the differences has varied too, endless examples from anthropological studies have shown.
But across such variations and whatever the power relationships involved, it seems that sexual identity has been stroctured into buman personality as an organising principle. It may be that in early human societies before the production of a surplus, these societies TASIEVE COLLI The sexual division of labour and the definitions of Tenuninity and masculinity may not have had specifically oppressive connorations for of patriarchy since that period is extremely ong, continuing througb the cmcrgence and Isintegration of many types of society, man systens ol exploitarion and onerosional of which have produced and reproduced their own versions of oppressive sexual relations and of femininity It seems to follow from this that — despite variations between societies - patriarchal assumptions are structured into us very deeply ar the level of personalicy and individual Identity: they draw on an exceedingly old
*It is not necessary to know that matriarchal societies have existed in the past to see that women
though varying history, and they are tightly
tied up with concepts of nature and biology.
We then bave to ask what happens to these oF the particular features of patriarchy within
capitalism? How do patriarchal structures and consciousness about the relations between the sexes relate to class structures and do we challenge each and both?
To take some of these questions further we have to look al what oppression of women under capitalism. The development of capitalism involved an excensive re-construction of social relationships The separation of labour and capital established the major class relationships of capilalist society, The separation of the home from general production, the preservation of the family and its transformation into a privatised domestic unit created a new basis for the sexual division of labour with the woman as. housewife labourer, Yet at the drawing women out of the domestic unit and into general production, capitaliam indicated that the sexual division of labour could become redundant.
PUBLIC SPHERE
Such a possibility is blocked within capitalism, structured by the contradictory features of the relationship between the private sphere of the family and the public production. Thus questions rights, emancipation, recurrently posed through capitalim. While women have never boen totally escluded from capitalise production — and in the las 20 ycars have been drawn increasingly into it -their position in the wage labour force is in practice largely an sohere of the cooking, cleaning, washing, sewing, nursing.
D Family or industrialisation how the tames considerably undermined, with men, women WOrking and children However capitalism stopped short of the total *Working class people strove to re-establish the family as a means of protection against the insecurity and alienation of their social existence.'
fragmentation of Lie working population as it became apparcot that this was economically and technologically unnecessary. causing excessive damage to the present and future labour farce and bad ideological dangers. Working class people strove to re-establish the Tamily protection against the insecurity prenation of thel social exist. Pratany
for women this meant a reclamation of a support system between female kin; for men it meant the claim for their wives to be returned to their 'proper domestic sphere" direct or indirect competition in the world of
Through apparently disparate pieces o legislation, such as that limiting hours o W'OTk fOr establishing universal education; through the relation to such matters as bealth, education MOUSES
elated development of socini work, the Stat has increasingly intervened to encourage and istpose an increasingly standardised forms of family life → "the bourgeois family" whar is now recognised as the 'welfare! Star nas emerged, bull around this concept of th family with its division of lahour berween the male breadwinner and the female dependent housewife and mother.
Why this State concern? What bourgeois interests were and are at scake? And how far has the warking class co-operated io its own of womei in particular in its struggles to improve the 'quality of famity life'?
From the pount of view of capital, the work of the bousewife at home is concerned with the production and repraduction of labour over on a day lo day and generational basis
functious bsologically, reproduction of actual human beings, ant ideolozically "aseful and law abiding members of society the reproduction of boys and girls imbue
carried our
cach in her separale home. capital acknowledges the
happens the
important unit commodities -
CUTER AS
- the "domestic same time, by also
appearance of
but the position of women is
spbere of pencral of women's continuing and bharatson are generall production.
the housewife has no extension into the public tasks of domestic labour: purchasing.
classes was
production consciousness,
militancy may It was
consistently challenged. as a means
and out of
and children, and
social policy
and the in the
in the repeoduction
with the appropriate notions of their masculinity and Temininicy, to direct them anto their "proper' piace in the sexual division of labour, who will be 'free' to sell their labour power to capital as reguired, Domestic labour is private in a number of senses. It is
in isolation; millions of housewives engaged in the same activities,
Although it contributes to the reproduction of labour power and is therefore necewary to the production of surplus value, the work of the housewile wrodies use valuce for thi unmediate consumption of her family. Her work is not socially productive in the Marxist sense. It receives no direct recognition from capital, and has no place in the canitalisi capital a comeden we steice
CAINCHCE domestic labour in three main ways: through its changing need to draw more women into general production, or to case them out again, through its recognition of the family an an
for the consumption of - from plastic bread to washing powders to freezers; through the public provision of some of the tasks of domestic Labour either by capitalist cuterprisos, such as launderettes, or by the State, as with day
Any social recognition of the housewife is established through the marriage contract, which acknowledges her hushand's chucy to maintain his dependants - wife and children. Thus it is the State through family law, the
which gives some social recognition to the busewife while the
can preserve an disinterest in the privare employees. The wage is paid to the worker, CHES LAUDE TO HIS CRE affair. Within the family, the housewile's
position is that of dependence. This may be modified, though not fundamentally altered if the woman is also a wage worker, given the
inequality in wages and opportunities affectine most women in There is therefore no equality of interest in or access lo the wage in the relationship of the husband/warker and the housewife. Assunting, in order to sharpen the point, that
work, immediate day-to-day responsibility for
making, organising the food, clothing and ecueral care of the family is the housewife's and she roquires some substantial part ofher husband's wage in order to be able to carry this our. Rue the wage is 'his'; he has "earned' it, and he is cushioned from the most immediate knowledge of the costs and work involved in domeste consumotion because that is not his sphere of responsibility.
The resultant differences in interests and consciousness are most clearly seen in strike stations, where wines berate their musband militaney and irresponsibility when the burden of their actions in the immediate sense of having to food the family will fall upon the wives. Ironically, this reactionary class position embodies an element of feminist
On the other band, rallying in support of their busbands
within framework of their own subordination. This lack of symmetry in the relation to the wage can only be overcome to the extent that the sexism structured into the working class is
SEXUAI
Patro
sto
the man
won oppre What are the pre patriarchy and capi relations and relatio Between the struggle and the struggle for to these crucial que obvious, argues MA
Page 9 scan of this page
POLITICS
archy's
У -
/ faces of
en's
ssion
se relations between alism? Between class s between the sexes? or women's liberation cialism? The answers tions are not easy or GARET COULSON
Finally, a brief discussion of certain aspects of the ideology of the family ideological commitmeot to the family will illustrate more of the problems we have to work on.
Ideologically, the patriarchal division between the sexes in capitalism is perpetuated
merely as justilication of the way relationships between women and men are actually relation to the capitali economy and sate. it which cling with a spocial persistence around Consider, for example.
SOTHES. established in the relationships witbin tbe bourgeois family, defended and reinforced through a range of psychological beliefs and 'explanations'. Challenging that means challenging the past and the present and the past in the present.
Warking bourgeois family is a commitment to sexist, and the oppression of wonten. problems of how to confront this effectively
The issue is so complicated because the reproduction of buman beings
most peopie are emotionally dependent on family relationships and see personal relationslups Inevitably tied together. Alternative ways of
•We do not have a clear understanding of how to
develop the struggle to transform personal identity
from passivity towards revolutionary autonomy.'
and of
For never "properly" form.
sort of reflection and within the structured
means an
the question of A heteroserin norm is clearl very structure of in the strucies of worrien.
transform
low co personal sirugeles. commitment lo the
But tbe
LATINCE SH
Because the
and tamily relationships as a whole
organising human reproduction and personal. are nardly cast or aromardy to mou to coist as the media exposés of AID and lesbian mothers lustrates. And yet the ideal of family security is becoming more mythical as families increasingly break up, break down,
The ccobomic dependency of the housewile
family extends into and is SOCIaL psychological, and sexual dependency operating at tbe level of ideas and emotions. Because the development of personal identity and sexual identity are fused in one process — and for women thar
identity of inferiority problenis of trying to reconstrict personal identity in the process of struggling against oppression are acutely and inrimately raised
We do not yet have a clear or adequate understanding of how to develop the strugele
personal identity from deference, dependence, and passivily loward: some ideal of revolutionary autononly, or of
generalise and collectivise those
But we have to recognise their validity as a necessary part of the struggle for women's liberation. Moreover, thedevelopment of any revolutionary concepts and practices collectivity and democracy is daumed to failure if divorced from the derelapment towards personal autonomy. This is just onc example of the way in which the struggle jo women's Tomation, and the Questions rusoL in urying to define the links beeween patriarchy and capitalism. raise important questions for the revolctionary movement as
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 26 January. 1978, page 9 ITALIAN ABORTION IN ABEYANCE ABORTION in Italy remains a very big issue The old fascist law Is still on the books. declaring abortion lo be a 'crime against the Itallan race."
In 1974 the Radical Party collected 700,00 signatures for a referendum to get cid of it and since then the issue has come up s number of times in parliament - but with no reform. In 1975, under the impact of massive women's demonstrations for free abortion on demand, parliament was dissolved, as the main political parties (the Christian Democrats and the Communist Party) could come to no agreement on ine issug sked controntation witn the barnol Church If the referendum was to be held
dissolving parilament and haiding elections the referendum was postponed The Communists (PCI) aimed to reach a rapid compromise with the Christian Democrats has not hatened oar The Bi-part has not happened so six-party agreement of recent months (which ended with the current governmental crisis reviewed most of the main political problems
The parties were afraid of repeating the split of June 1977. Then the abortion reform aw had col 00 18r 83 t0e sene where be Christian Democrats broke their tacit agreement with the PC to vote according to Conscience ano 0989 the bill.
The same law has now been presented again and discussion in the Chamber of Deputies should have begun in Decembe Again It was postponed, but will have to come up by February or the referendum wil
law is not the most liberal of laws, but the Christian Democrats, under the influence of Vatican-backed right 10 life movements have hardened their position even further.
The PCI, on the other hand, has to
'historic TECONCHOI ATTaLOUS compromise' with the main ruling class party with the aspirations of its own rank and tile paruculany bie NOTED influenced by the women's movement support for free abortion on demand. AMERICAN WOMEN DEFEAT RIGHT WING WHILE THE Earopean women's movement Is taken up with debates on the relationship hetween femmisns and the class things in the United States are a little different.
"Feminism" has become the stock in trade of half the bourgeois politicions in the country. At the recent National Women's Conference In Houston there were delegations dominated by the Ku Klus Klin fincinding men) which — not surprisingly - were anti-
There was another big problem with the conterence. The Curter administration had spent 55 million setting the thing up. so il wasn't meant to challenge government policies. Nevertbeless, at a time when abortion rights and alfirmative action programmes are under attack, and the Equal Rights Amendment is still hanging fire in state legislatures, the conference overwhelminet" hacked childeare provisions, abortion, the FRA, and gay rights. It also passed a strong resolution against the domble oppression of women from racial minorities.
But the problem was that liberal feminists,
were ahle do use the presence of right-wing resolutions, suving they would undermine the Seminis saisi of the conference, But En minories women resolution, druwn up by minority women's caucuses, showed that a stronger alternative was possible. It went Far
overwhelmingly.
printinga reply hs the Communist Party to our recent Serplus Yuhie, The Communist Party und Women'kl theration".
Page 10 scan of this page
SEXUAL POLITICS /IRELAND The 'children of 1968 fight on
committee in Coalisland,
The organisers of the conterence expected no more than a couple of hundred people Republican Movement, MarxIst organisations, community TOUDS. SOU TELL ESOTRUS
such as the Social Democratic and Labour Party and the recently formed Trish Independence Party had all been circulated.
If nothing eise, hoped the organisers, a wide spectrum of opinion would be represented at the conference.
UNITY
In the event, over 700 people from all over the Six Counties turned up. Representation
and the demand for genuine
WASTE clear Techie expressed from the floor of the COMICICACE. Al spenkers were warmly applauded, and when these included speakers trom both the Provisional Official Republican Movements that says a lot.
Delegates 01 organisations which had not so long ago been engaged in deadly feuds ended up vating for the same motions.
As Bernadette McAliskey
The people conference were the children of
come together to see how the
-bad learnt in strugale could be taught to the
The major motions were
full backing to the InternationBETTERESTED ALIE BRUISE Presence in Ireland, wlich was publicly launched in London
THE RIGHT of gays to their sell delermination lutned out to be the crucial debate at the National Union of Students* gay liberation conference. reports GERRY AHRENS. A hundred gay activists met to discuss the deplorable srate of the gay campaign.
Decisions made 31 InC conference are not binding on the union executive, dominated
alliance, and as with the
majority decisions taken by the gay
rently rejected by the executive.
4 measly £200 is all that NUS treasurer Penny Cooper allo-
subsequent loss of faith in the NUS leilership was cleariy
SUPPORT for the Inter-
presence in Ireland and for the Bloody Sunday demonstration
Welsh women's liberation
of the decisions taken on 14 and
women's liberation conference. Attended by Wrexham, Aberystwyth, Newport, Abergavanny and Swan-
conference organised by the Cardiff Women's Action Group.
Workshops were held on sexuality, health, nationalism and on the question of women's liberation and the struggle. A regional socialist feminist conference in Newport
Conference against repression
Roy Mason's recent epitaph for the Irish resistance to British imperialism has proved to be premature. This is the message from last weekend's conference against repression, organised by the local Relatives Action
Co. Tyrone.
Coalisland, AILEAN O'CALLAGHAN reports.
last Tuesday. The conference aiso resolved to build Relatives
The the Six Counties,
possible in the th Countes.
This and similar activity ains to build the type demonstrations which were characteristic the from 1968-72 main themes will be for the ending of torture and for the immediate return status for all
centre and the 250 women dominate political thinking, with good reason. Despite worldwide British ganda. people Counties are fully aware that torture is central to Brain's war effort.
John McAnulty told the conference of the case of Ronnie Bunting, a member of
and Party. Nine months ago Ronnie
torture centre and had the CLOSET CANCE BEHS EH by his "interrogators'
He has mist been re-arrested for 'wasting police time!. crime was to make a torna
the complaint about being tor.
SUCCO. Delegates
conference feared that this may he a start of a new policy aimed at discrediting the victims of BALLEL Clearly the conference is a direct challenge to British imperialism. success or tallure to build the agreed activities will be of the utmost significance to the struggle of the Irish people for
NUS Gay Conference
shown hy decisions to vore in TENDIT Of MALOES delegates involved in the Socialist Students Alliance, calling for prioritisation of CaIDSEL both within outse the NUS: Anti-fascisin Gay News, and Lesbian rights to Aid.
The conference, held on 1415 January, also called for the right to hold closed conferences and gay-soes, decision-making The main task for gays in the NUS is to launch a campaign for a prioritised motion, giving gays the right deteratination. lo be adopted by NUS conference. For imacdiate future the Gat News Appeal February must be but with
Welsh feminists meet
in May will concentrate on the national Tribunal on Britain's latter point in more detail.
conference also took many practical steps:
acure was planned, and steps
by GILL ALLEN
in the valleys were discussed. To this end, the second issue of Rhinon was distributed, and a workshop was held on video recording. The Swansea group of the National Abortion Class Campaign also won backing
for lis day school scheduled for 1l February.
From TROOPS OUT
and where
This time the
of political Republican
•forture
men and
propathe national liberation. Consequently, need practical ma co toe delermina Conshownet Coalisland.
His of Bloody
buill for the ARTE WILLE
as "Prisoners" Day'
Most
Coalisland International
essential. In this way it is Mason 11s and the Lahour Government which can be isolated in 1978 rather than 1968' strong NUS by ncluding all the NUS Execu
and National Gay Demo. Saturday
March to Trafalgar Square for Rally, Stop at Canada House to protest over treatment ol Cenadian brothers and sisters. and to have conferences. Pickel of Canada House on
Friday 27 January PIcket Royal Court of Justice FebruarY. self- Disco fa February. Leicester Sa.
the Town Hill: Tom. 70p earners 50p non-earners. demo on ll
the
ALL PAS TO BE SH CAT GATE HO Members of the United Troope Out Movement pleketed the headquarters of the Special Air Services regiment in Chelsea, in London last Saturday, They were drawino attention to the rolo o
socialists in Britain lo give the utmost
Sunday,
the finst Sunday in
per column inch. the Coalisland named
all, to build the bookshop Tribunal 031-567 1348
an books and *the children of SINN FEIN Bloody
INTERNATIONAL and contingents Conference
on 1S
News Appea 11 February.
Hull,
tions 4-7pm. workshops. 10.30-4.00, Bam epin Club. 7pm. RADICAL Lambeth exparienced
office. Fast.
required,
tion Irish night. 8.00 till late.
horse pud Buses
Tickets 21
and musicians
CAST
agitprop which leaves
Graig CAST oller STONY
A Nation Mea
he tree NO
MORE
ASSASS
lion of Col.
What's
Left
Rates: 3p per word, Display 22
LANCIAR 3pm Saturday before publica
FIRST OF MAY, Edinburgh, is
meeting and 45 Niddry London N19.
Open 12 noon lo 7pm Mon to Sat (opm Sat): Wr
excellent range porters
London N1, Sunday Sunday 28 January. Speakers 503L1UIS Corner. March to Whitehall, All Unity
Soclailsts Revolutionary Unity GLENUE. sponsored by ex-IS/ SWP activists. Sessions
tradition. OTHEREI situations, revolutionary unity, Library. Africa Centre, King S1, London London N7
Feb.
Includes documents in advance] from Martin Shaw, 57 Salisbury St,
LEEDS CACTL day school Speakers on industrial occupa 7pm
homelessness and Tottenham Sat 28 28 p PIUE at Leeda Trades Please note Saville Mount. solicilors naed N1 legal NW6, £3300 p.g. to work with
SO HIGHLE us in our young. friendly Culture'
accurate audio versity pig and sanse of nurou STOLE
Tel Anna 01-328 Include BLOODYSunday Commemors- David Craig.
pads
Beltones. Elu, Fox and Giltrap, and Connolly Folk; at Whiti
Church Rd NWId sing a series 260, tube Neaden or Willesden Green
SOCIALIST CABARET. Benefit for Right to Work Tilm. CAST
Contessions of a
music. PA available for singers
Bar: 8 till late and Admission E1 (50p claimants).
AA. 34 Beford Square, WC1
Imaginative, sophisticated and quick-hit form of groupings.
most (Sandy Ime Out. 2 Dec 197 you a half hour contessions Socialist plus disco and use of write PA for your own entertainers.
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INATIONS
the SAS In the North of Ireland. particularly the recent assassins.
plainciothes soldier.
social, party Phone 0T-B06 4208 reveninos!.
LONDON IMG Day School on the Revolutionary Party Sat urday 4 Febna st Johns Wale 11am 5om a! Caxton House,
This school boen to all iNG sumpathisar and Socialial Chellenge sup-
credentials from
For by signed trom local IMG
WORTH LONDON Socialis
Public Meeting. Hospl and the role o Labour Counciliors!, Speakers: Mike Simpson, IGMWU shop
Roval NOR OT Hospitali plus EGA invitedy. 7. 30am. Thurs
Thurs DISCO SNO BRI HAR
Camden Road 20 CAMPAIGN apainst Racism in the Media. General meeting lo discuss policies and activities
political broadcasts speakere, Friday 27 January
the Roebuck Pub
London W1 (between Goodge Court Road tive St and Warren S1 tubes:
address CARM. c/o PO Box 50, Londar
YORK UNIVERSITY Weekenc
Organised by UniSocialist English , 2B/29 January. Theon
ind Practice, outside sneaker
Terry Eagleton and Creche, avallable. For morg details contact Anne MCGaughren, & Priory St, York. 265a LONDON IMG will be organi-
of ail-London HAC HERE WHETHE months as part of the IMG'S preconferance discussion.
CRISIS perspective on the revolutonary left and moves lowards
the following organisations
individuals have been Ad THE CON terence: Workers Laague, Big Flame, International Socialisi
10-5.
Libertaran Gom munist Group and Socialiet Challenge supporters. I you WTH A MONE DE SNU DOCRESE currents and would like 10 tion
attend the London discussion
for cotails London IMG, c/D PO Box 50, London
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 26 January, 1978, page 10 BRIA TON SOCIAISE CHID, FRI Jan. Hands over the city: Hallan thriller about comption In local goverment, starring Rod Steiger. 3.00pm,
Canterbury Crescent Ibehind Brixton
bolice station). Entrance s0p CARDIFF Debate between iMG and Communist Parly: What strategy? Mon 13 Feb, 7.30
Road East. Admission (OAP and unemployer 10pj. KINGS LYNN radical discus sion group. All shades of lett opinian welcome. For further STATICE contact ful Webb, Kinge Lyne 5786 TRADE UNION action against
CHOKETS CITI Childs, TU officer of AA movement, and local trade
Oroanisco by Southamption AA i group. Mor
(Feb 7.30 Matthews Church Hall St Mary's Hd NAME PUNK rock group will play at your benefit or social Minimum expenses information - Brookwood
THE LONDON Labour Librar is a democratic and coopera
venture which aime li Provide Heaven anD Bor facilities 10 trade unio activista, socialists, blac COURS. WORn 5 9000s B0
groups. We invite all individua/s and organisations
movement support us in our efforts to liberate Information resources in order to service the struggle
workers rights. We nee books, periodicals, money an otters of support. Write 1o
labour Library dic Sisters 'Ad London N4.
SERIES Zionism
anti-Zionist) speak on Zionism and the non-sectarian alterna tive in Palestine'. Chairperson Tony Greenstein. San 29 Jan 2pm, Corway Hall, Red Lion Square. London Region British Anti-Zionist BAZO) cio 58 Old Bromptio
Londor FIGHTBACK Conference ir Defence of the NHS. Sat 18 Feb
Central Hall, minster SWi. For details crocentials etc, contact Fightback Confurence, cie GenupaColestein Hospital Hounsing: Mody. (01-570 44481.
Page 11 scan of this page
European Court abolishes human
"MY GOOD FELLOW, YOU'RE ONLY ALLOWED TO SCREAM UNDER TORTURE I THIS IS meRELY ' INHUMAN TREATMENT', SO PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER. "
IRELAND
rights
righteous violence.'
internment policy, relevance, reports GEOFF BELL. Unholders of the right of the
people to self-determination ceased holding illusions in British justice But continental Europe was a little more distant; the ruling class there were not so directly involved in oppressing Irish women and men. Perhaps Justice could be found in Strasbourg.
Some in Ireland were quick to inslit that this was occurred at the Human Rights court last week, The Fianna tal Government argued the Judgenient. must be welcom ed by all who are interested In the the PrObe lion Deliberal Irish Time human
agreed: The European Court if Human Rights is now seen to be creating standards for the protection of the individual against the abuse of stale power.
TORTURE
This is nonsense. Stasbourg's verdict gave none of the reassurances which ageing Iberals are: always cager. to insist are obtainable through bourgeois legal channels. The most headline calching decision was that Brilain had not tortured in the carly days of bytheRUC internment, but had merely indulged in Inhuman and degrading treatment
Al one level the differenc can he reduced to one of semantics. The dictionary delines 'inhuman" as "cruci, barbarous, savage. But the difference not about dictionary definitions.
The "quiet satisfaction with which the British Government is reported to have reacted to Strashpure's verdice underloo the importance of being acquitted of torture. "Torture' aureling tester oberat sometling Western democracies just do not do, while inhuman" treatment carries connotations that thing: merely got a bit out of hand
The verdict was all the more
as Britain had not contested the torture allegation, in effect, Britain pleaded gully, Tound it was innocent. wonder Amnesty International is severely critical of the SEXUALISE.
PREJUDICIAL
Orher decisions of the European court were equally prejudicial. The Irish Covernment had complained that Internment discriminated in favour of Loyalists, The coun Would nave none of that li spoke of profound differences between Lovalist and Renubl ican terrorists*, adding in 1970 and 1971 the community included political pressure groups with extremist tendencies but apparents concealed within its rank no underground military forces akin to the IRA.
The facts of the violence in Ireland from 1969-71 show the hollowness of this claim. first borhs were planted by Loyalists, attempt to discredit the liberal' Unionists in power. The first killings were committed by Loyalists. The Ulster Volunter Force existed from 1966 and was selectively certoe 1r0m: 1909 onwards
Bur as with the corture
Over a hundred years ago the Irish radical and land agitator Michael Davitt wrote: "The long history of Ireland proclaims aloud that the only way to obtain justice for Ireland is through the illegal use of
The verdict announced last week by the European Court of Human Rights on the early days of Britain's give Davitt's words a timely
charge, the British argument was accepted. Those supported the British presence #go. in Ireland, however much
violence they usod, were only "hooligans" and did not merit
VERDICTS Of the 17 judges, only the Irish and one other said what discrimination was practised.
On the torture acquittal there were four dissenters, Ireland, Austria, Greece and Cyprus. The last three are not in toc Common Market; the people of the last two have thei experience of torture, and position to deliberate Britain's treatment of rebels Two verdicts were mous. The first that no evidence had been presented that Britain was still 'ill. treating" LES Ireland. At no time COURSELLE evidence, Had they they would have quickly found that such respectable figares a 2wvers: ponde surecons an Chusch leaders in the North of Ireland have recently protested about the treatment of suspects
The other unanimous verdict ways ine most mportant of all. Britain, tho declared, had been justified in adopting policy internment without trial, They August 1971 had threatened the life of the nation.
INTERNMENT
was a strange considering internment which led eventually led to the abolition of the Northern parliament. But the real point about that verdict was that it cotally avoided the issuc - that wis the practices of the reland state which caused the popular resistance government in the first place The decision of the judge at Strasbourg to justify internment is not surprising. If Britain had not been justified, by the same reasoning Ireland would not have been justified in setting up no-jury courts to deal with Republicans in that part of The same reasoning can be judge who deliberated Strasooure. I Britain was no justitied in abolishing trial by jury, could Westero Germany not be criticised for its present adoption of the 'Strong State'? No ruling class in Western Eurape would want a decision al Strasbourg which questioned their right to abolish the right of'a lair trial whenever they felt the need.
Oh DO. said tbe learned judges of 17 Western fair trial is not a principle. The The Sie CaRs
whenever it feels it is necessary. This decision Takes bourg's verdict away from the presence in Ireland. Last week He Ter to norwal was renal: and openly abolished Western democracy. I was that serious,
who own
unani-
opponents in
did the invite such
done so
verdict
it was
to a0 Northern
-10 the
The Irish Civil War Irish Troops Out Movement has just published a longihy pamphlet by Frances M. Blake. The Irish Civil War meanstorine in sh peop e. The demo- pamphlet covers the period of 1922-1923 Ireland spainsl the British imposed solution' to the Irish what it wabl
question.
With wall-produces HustraStrastons and at only 30p it is the bargain of the yoar.
Other 326 Upper Street. London N1.
Price 30p plus 10p pap by
STOP HIM !!!
STOP HIM!!!
1922-1923 from party.
De achieved Protestant
troops London United Ireland.
what it still SLP's line war in official Labour
alisa.
Available Bookshop,
STRASBOURG
RUL
O'MAHONY the recent formation of a new political
THE FOUNDING conference ot the Socieust Lebow Part was marked by the passing of two motions conoreine the Tot national question in Ireland. workers. One dropped a territorial clain
Six Councies pledged that unity could only involved in
by uniting and Catholic workers. The other committed the party to campaigning for the withdrawal of British
from the North of
The obvious contradictions of in the party's founding history, But the tea similicance of the
on the national the new question is the extent to which it breaks from the thesis of the
Party. that work on this question is a deviation of backward nationThe Socialist Labour Party was forned is a result of the election to the Irish Parhament of a former Labour TD (MP), Dr Noel Browne, as an inde pendent. The Lahour Party had tetised to ratify Browne's
Nç
A new Labour Party
South of Ireland
nontination to run for election. Importantly Browne, a lettsocial democrat, is one of the very few Labour IDs to have a
of support among Irish
Many of those who became
the independent campaign to elect Browne and his running mate, Matt Merri gan (a left trade union leader), had been radicalised in the late *60%, and had been politically inactive since then. Others were militants in the unions, orbers again had been members of the Labour Party who had leil it during the period of conlition. The majonty of the members of
party did not come froin the Labour Party, a point which is important because -unitkens Britecounteroart the Irish Labour Party has no bolibcal or rank and lue r000 in the trade unions, and has Daved an extremely resonal role in relation to repressive lepislation and the North.
The Socialist Labour Party has adopted a very open consiturion, allowing political
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 26 January 1978, pape 1 and sell their literature to the party. The right of women to organise autonoMousEs was also spied, and a national women's conference of the party will be held next month.
There are rwo political weaknesses to be noted, though the openness of the membership means that these possibly overcome. The first is a workerist tendency on the national question, and a failure
nature of CLIC Protestant
The second weakness is the new party's elecroralist orienta.
While Tew believe the party will become a maior parliamentary group in the near future, the importance of consticuency work and the running or candidates tend to be over emphasised.
Despite these drawbacks, the
ane of the healthiest political initiatives of this decade in the South of Ireland, and signifies the berinning of i period of upsurge and reproupient.
Page 12 scan of this page
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A.SLEINE
SL6E AaRmung 91
Page 13 scan of this page
Soviet dilemma on the horn
Socialism
in one
country?
The press revels in references to this ariemot Vietnamese Communist Party to realise the wish expressed by Ho Chi Minh in his political testament. However, Ho's last known writing does not contain a single line that mentions this question.
There has not been a single VCP document for several decades putting forward the perspective of such a federat-
You have to go back to the ITU O TO AC SOPROa Enurean guonnas Buack
DY KICHAKD CAKYER
MASSAWA has nearly fallen.
Eritrean guerillas claim control of Asmara airport. Assab SLOHE CLELELH south Soriali troops bave beeni held bur not defcated.
Refugees leave Massawe.
INTERNATIONAL
Vietnam-Cambodia war
One of the principal political accusations made hy the Cambodian leadership against the Vietnamese is that they want to set up an 'Indochinese federation' dominated by Hanoi, writes PIERRE ROUSSET.
"Socialist Federation the United stales oi lebnchinn as part of a World Federation' systematically advanced in the texts of the Communist Party, During the period of the liberation wars there was silence on the problem regional organisation. But from 1975 this question returned with relevanice, abowe all in Laos and Cambodia. These are the two countrics which most need MesSawaSrrOs ResanG Hals Ethiopia itself faces virtual civil
people killed in fighting in Addis Ababa every day.
The nationalist forces in Eritrea in the nortb and the CATHH Ogaden in the south can allow
active regional solidarity bocause of the gravity of rbe problens that confront them.
After the victory, L. examplc, dramatic situation: without acoess to the sea and dependent an Thailand for its supply lines, facing serious food problems, and having just finishod a civil war with the part of the Meos tibe organised by the CIA. The Laotian Communist Party leadership made the right chotce.
COOPERATION
The deputy minister Foreign Alfairs declared that suntmler that Indochinese countries 'need to cooperate still more (chan during the war) to safeguard independence of the the results of the revolution and O DUBd SOCANSO, ADO CEE Socialist Vietnam-Laos 'common declaTiDOn 01 18 Ju 19F7 nOtEL
much ic ILLEIL LO TELEOEC SOMBESI cooperation becween the two CUTELO af The Cambodian leadership chose an opposite cogrse Cambodia found itself conburning fronted with the same basic difficulties as Laos: difficulties that are inherent in a country where the social and economic themseives a certain bewilderment. After years of Soviethacked struggle against a right-wing Ethiopian everything has been turned on its head,
The USSR now supplies the "socialist" Derg, the Ethiopian military Gavernmnent, with the SULE weapons
Somalia, which backs the Ogaden
impertint supor tod the
imperialist powers BTLLTCIASSMEI enthusiastic backers among the right-wing regimes.
AID
The imperialists have so far refused to give open military DECAERA 10 SolRL9, PECTerEIEIY
IRANIAN POLICE opened HTE IRED OCNODSEESHOUCELOI and Meshed twa weeks ago. killins aver mal wowndie further 500 and arresting 1,400 people, mainly Muslint students of theology. The demonstrations were organised to protest agaust tie banning of religious céremonier after the death of the principle chief chiite of Irab.
The state-controlled press in tran, however, flagrantiy lies by saying that only five were shot dead, one child was trampled to death, nine were injured and 70 were erresred. It farcher Hries to discredit the demonstratons by seying that they demonstrated agatmt land supression of the wearing of veilsby women.
Al the same tine there was a Terey of open letters,
forces of particularly found ielso
JUCULS
are partially:
Cambodia's agricultura. chuce in exchange.
Basin, energy source in pooling the TREBUECE
of brutal,
the turee
closely
and guarantees.
Prime
cipate in
was *a vital ation."
RETREAT neighbours,
'regime
1973 al Britain's request.
that the once received. Britain is known to
nationalists, is
La reward Tor most from Arab Fraction.
sea raids against SETES..
BLOHILHLSIECYSLES
Takcup their cuse.
REPRESSION
refor sod the
citing opposition within fran
socialism HE EN weak and where The revolution was larzels s product of regional develop
The indochinese economies
complementary.
Vietnam could give Cambodia a lot in the way of industry with
The Mekong potentially 1П-" muin the region, COLEATEaOU Three countries
The Cambodian rejection of HOCHI MINH any solona coopclanon wa:
immediate and fundmental. The possibility of joint very great tor aid was refused. The countr was shut up, henceforth to b: realities dependent on only China for financial aid and commnercial стебепое
According to Jogies, Minister Pol Pot Kampachea., will nover parti- country
Many alliance, Tederacion, or regional organis-
nationalism.
In doing this the Cambodian regime was making a double succeed in a felrest: an internal retrent Cambodia, becaue of the brutality of the internal measures 1 was ther obliged to take; and an external
towns.
to allow its rich and powerlul
like Iran, to intervene. Iran bas a history as imperialist policeman in the region, intervening against the Omani liberation struggle in by proxy
KREMLIN
But covert aid to Somalia is greater chan anvone will admolt.
have stepped up its nid programme in the thoush we don't know its tall exient, And West Germany has been secretly supplying arms as
Somali help in repressing the Red Army *sphenes of
In the last week the Derg has tried to divert attention from Me SoutEn IOn C a and
Eritrean mositions Militarir this vital, for tbe nealy unifiod Eritreau torees now bold al but coexistence,
Shah wipes out another 100
cases of unlaw ful and arbitrary
CenserSmP And J0I8 tions of human rights, greeting the actival of the CN General Secretary, DrKur: Waldheim in
Eroinent fewyes sad t2
demics who asked the UIN to countries come to the aid of the Iranian people in cheir attempis to establish froodom and demecracy Waldheim promised to
After this the group founded saler the traman Continittee for the Defence of Libercy and Human Rights' and organised a press conference for the fiest time ini 15 yeurs in the history of the
CeHea D CacET CaLu a0EVieroamese nationalism,
The stakes in this debate are this
the future of Endochina. Taking bacional
and aspirations into account does nor imply giving
to nationalist ideoThe -LeTCnCe the "national independence of a
JLMIT HOLTSLLL LEDIL imperialist domination does not mean falling back
And if the advance to in stib-coniental atitrd
'sub-continental' countries like China or the USSR, how can it be seriousty expected to
country like which closes its borders in the name of national sovercigaty and tries to rely on our own forces". the two or three most important
The Soviet part in all this has been utterly synical. Reports of AS CINUR HEUVEUHLECRCL undoubtedly exagerated, bur Crunma, me Luoai comean-
Party paper, proudly trumbers the decds of its twr IAIT. military 'advisers" Russians
But it would be wrong to regard the Soviet Intervention
USELILL al as le imperialists*. Soviet interest in Africa has notbing to do with markets and everyhing to do with military and political
-intluenoe This creates a dilemma for the Kremlin policy makers. They wart to extend their influence tothe makimum -especally in an area like the Horn, which is on vital sea lanes — hut cannot afford to upser 'peaceful
As for the Shab, be ended thie trade boycor imposed on Italy and Denmark after assurances from President Leone and Queen Margaretha
BIESL mahly that they would increase the repressioa of Iranian dissdents in their respective
In Britain the Battersen and Waadsworth Trades Council passed ait exemplary resalution calling on the Greater London Asociation of Trades Councils to take up British complicity womane traman erecatorsasp.
Ir demaods an end to arms
STERE TOPECESIOT Iratian dissidents in Britain and the expulsion of SAVAK seents. Il asks for a speaker fram tie Cannaien Aenine Repression in Iram ro address the GLATC and Tor the
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 26 January, 1978. page 13
Today Hanoi again advances the idea of regional socialis: cooperation after •A LOTD silence. They remain silent on
political forms whereby such cooperation can be fully reached, Cainu accoon por haps of the present situation in che tegion. We ust give proper cmphas to the old slogan of the *Socialise Federation of the United State: ofIndochina"
There is a danger of such a Tederacion heing dominared by Vietnant, given the relationship of torces and the bureaucratic character of the regimes. But
danger canuol be Compatted by the Da sonatst response, whose consequences we can see loday.
How many Cambodian lives have been sacrificed on the What rat nal ever egol ? What price muse tbe East Asian revolution pay for the decay expressed by the Khmer-Vietnamese contliet?
The answers lie elsewbere. The only hope for such a lasting balanced federation is the SULLES TES DUELAI Thailand. The ouly way to fight Victnatue chaueissa hu avalist the dansers or 1T0I7700CA01A120R2 internationalisor and the fight
This bicaus that the USSR will not foment terolution in Africa, as cbe imperialist press would bave us believe. Instead i tries to win to its politica and military influcnoe radical TEHES TEININCE THIE TCOIRIE economically tied to imperial-
will mean intervention to help genuinely HMEL IEECRIL struggles - as in Angola -wbercas in Elicopia il means tampling oi the democratic sod national cights of the very people it had once supported
Such a policy is not only brutal. Ht could also be disastrously counterproducnvc. nereiy me somans ure back in the imperialist fold, Iris increasingly Ikely that the left wing Eritreans will hecome ACNEUSEIE ibovenent as a whole tied ta the *
reactionary Saudi, Iranian and Sudanese regimes.
That would be fragi and we would hare ao-one but the HUSSHS O BRIEE
GLATC to consider affiliation IOCARI.
SOLIDARITY
In the light of recent events in URALUL ANUSEDUTEKAL URTI special importance, CARI now has. Is0 sponsorshit Labour MP, and several union leaders. More ATUBLUITE Constituency Labour Parties Trades Councils and unicn branches are affiliatiog Le CARI Readers should make sure that their union brunch or ather labour mocement organisation follows the exempie of Bacterses and Wandsworth For further information. speakers ur heip. contact: CARE, Bos 4, Rising Free, 1M2 U pperStreet. Landon NI.
Page 14 scan of this page
COMMENT
Common
programme for
the Common
Market
PE HERES eide made Challenne,
January) raises two major questions regardinE clections and the atritude of the Labour lefts to li torm ol eleclion in Aritain.
He correctly stater 'the European parliament could be used on a European scale as a forum for socialist propaganda. have an obligation to maximise this potential.
The EEC clections when they occur will be held in every member country at the same time. A united revolutionary slate throughout Europe would for the first time publicly pose the alternative of socialism and the need for an international on a continental scale.
The Fourth International leadership in Europe is uniquely placed to call a conference of all revolutionary organisations throughout Europe to draff a common programme for such a slate. A revolutionary poll would clarity relations between left groups by sharply posing the question of socialist unity, Undoubsedly it would have a greater sectarianism than purely national elections.
The programme cannot yet be determined but it should include demands against the EEC and against protectionism and import controls at a national or international level, as well as a very wide range of other demands. In such a campaign we would ask for seats to be allocated on our aggregale votes, as we are candidates of no particular country.
Phil Hearse notes that Labour lefts are antidemocratic in relation to proportional representation. However, the objective reasons for this are not explained. At present, Labour look
Socialist
Challenge
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Unions and the Crisis
England, and by the SNP in Scotland. In Westminster, it is mainly left minorities that are exchided. Liberals are the present case among the main parties. We can he sure that Dennis Skinner MP recognises these faules
But why then does he oppose PR? Clearly this relates to the "project' of Party in case there is PR "when they hope to take over the Party, If successful the right wing
Jeave, Liberals. In the absence of PR, the lefis see this as risky and tantamount lo entering the wilder-
they expect the social weight of the Labour Party to remain unchanged
Furthermor a left Labour Parly would sents as opposed to 50 per cent under PR. seems the 'better bet TOE outside the Pari I, one lets are to be id the real fight and However, they shouldn't attack the government too hard, asthe only alternative under the status quo is the Tories. irrelevant as it has no MPs (even with I million Under PR all the above arguments would fall. If the Labour Party remained undemocratic or didn't adopt socialist policies, lefts Labour Party is a soft HUOUS DETERICTIS clectoral advantage has obviated the need to obtain grass roots support. It is unlikely it could regenerate such support as would he necessary to retain hegemony under PR. It has no auto matic union allegiance unlike other countries, having grown from the unions and not vice With its removal as sole governmental party. union affiliations would decline and Senocacics in the about movement REOWA boost would be given to labour movement democracy in general, and a clearer political
would tesult. blindfolds would be removed, and although the en would appear much smaller in parlimentary terms, the true alignment of forces would be
and the class struggle G.MORGAN, Glasgow
Speakers: Geoff Paxon, FBU Divisiona Secretary (in personal capacityl. Bab George Hotel, Stafford St.
Wolverampton.
QUeer
LONDON BRENT Socialist ChalPange group. ro oelans ol meetings write cra London IMG, PO Box 50, London Nt
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the lefts in the Labour
basis for with the
- This
strengie"
Finally, the NF i
would the class strugele socialist democratic
Is built-in assessed, catch-all formulas
majority
other
One of reformism's
such diliciences -ING The doesn't
details from
PO Box 50
EEC.
debated
struggle
"The project
Prince 1D1 Street, London VI.
Centre.
Road loff West
Marxism
For
Worker or News Line Latchemere prentature for
The creation
Politics or
Diplomacy?
HOW DO WE map out the necessary political
revolutionary unity?
International Communist League agrees,
generally, with what the introduction to your
Prall Statement said Neither
to the historie tradition
Bolshevik-Leninism, nor
disagreement on a few short-term tactical
Questons. can be decive: the crucial enteror
is where cach tendency stands in relation to the
"greatest tests of the international class
But your Draft Statement seems not lo
correspand to this method, Thought on some
points it gives rather detailed lists of slogans, it
is almost entirely devoid of concrete references
1o the actual tests of class struggle. On issue
formulations which are not made sufficiently
precise to be a guide to action in any real test of
here can be unis doble dea greements: bui for that unity to be honest and scrious, the
disaureements must b
not covered over with vacuous
In the unification which created the I-CL, the
of one of the
(Workers Power') had an important and
potentially far-reaching difference with the
theoretical tradition of the I-CL. majonty, in
that they considered the Stalinist states to be
"state capitalist'. In the fusion statement we stated clearly what the majority position of the
was, and explicity noted the
existence of a minority position.
That approach seems to us better than trying
to lind some "compromise' formula to bridge
you have tried to do in your Draft Statement
I the discussiop on wilVatise fran a suddeinflux of new, young miltants into revolu tionary politics, then stating positions clearly woeld still be necessary — bur positive, fruitful revolutionary unity might be possible even on a relatively amorphous hasis, to the extent that it rellected the immaturity of the new vanguard. Manusts would have to learn to argue and criticise more patiently, less polemically:
That is not today's- situation. discussion is unity between groupings and
and political divisions. Attempting to unify them just by finding "compromise formulas, 1s substituting diplomacy for polities; it can only discredil the idea of units
The Draft Statement does not define its attitude to the Stalinist stales closely enough to indicate whether or not it is for a working. class political revolution against the bureatic racy in Viernam. Cuba, or even China.
social-democracy clear cnough to rule our the sort of supporting through faint criticismi often found in Socialist Challenge. It does not come out openly for the victory of the struggle for national Iberation in Ireland, against British imperialism. It makes no mention of
struggle" in relation to internationalism: the
women's movement, not saying that this should he a communist, working-class based waren's movesent, and not drawing any line between Marxism and feminism. It does nor Jnclude 'No Platform for Fascists"
Clear positions have to be defined and
on these questions for solidly-based revolutionary unity lo be possible. For it is such questions which decide
whether revoletionary aspirations and general principles are translated into adequate revolutionary action in the tests of the class
This is an abridged version of a letter sent by the International Commenist League to the Socialist Challenge Editorial Board. The fult text can be ablained from the I-CL, 98 Gifford
We don't need
Jackanory
IN ARGUING for a clear conception of what ine alms and pobcies of socialst Challenge should he, it is perhaps useful to establish what the paper is not trying to be.
First, Socialis Chullenge — unlike Socialist
is not aimed simply at building the pary". It is thus distinctly
Shelfield Socialist Chullenge supporters in 5 January 1978 issue, to sugges that chese groups as they stand could be that basis or the revolutionary organisation
of a unilied revalutionary organisation n Britain must necessarily be. to a large extent, the result of regroupment of the
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 26 January, 1978, page 14
socialists
The
Socialist abstract Df though obviously
descend to the Marxism of Socialist Worker.
ILLS TALIE
united revolutionary organisation.
K. PREWER, Leicester
has tostop
and powerful invectives
to laugh at himself, welcome antidole to the
Under GETS TOLLET
SEE THESE
DAEL SAIL
they deserve.
left the polemical techniques
ICELLIOUS PEOniC We real,
style of newspaper articles?
merely this hollow.
and non-sectarian stance of
disorder sectarian sectarians
CHRIS ROSEBLADE, London
other tendencies, not simply enlarging the INC
by bringing in a few hitherto independen
Revolutionary unity will be built out of united
action in rank and file struggles — in elections
in the united fronts representing the oppressed and via debate and discusion, It may. com sooner rather than later, but it will not appear
like a rab hit out of a hat in a matter of months, Secon Warker or Ble Flame Socialist Challenge - unlike attempting to be a "mass paper'. IE is primarily.
not exclusieels, aimed a rank and file militants in the workplace, ar
other activist: fighting against particular form
of oppression, at left wine militants in othe
neung to bale the rest to
Stomping to build the reyolutie
Whilst 1— for one — would agroe with the criticisms on the letters pages recently that Soctalist Challenge is sometimes too intelico tual", I cannel accept comrade Heal's suggestion in 5 January 1978 issue that it should
ecosonism and Jackanory
Granted, Socialist Challenge should not be sumed at the vanguard, and the tiro are by no
down serious political analysis for the sake of getting onto the shelves of WH Smith (sic), or substifuring Socialist Challenge for the Sun, is not going to take us an inch nearer a socialist opposition or a
When the joking
TREAD David Widgery's Better in last week" paper more in socrow than in anger. His witty
against the IMG': sectarianism have on occasion heen justified. In biber writings his sense of humour and ability the rest of the far left have often proved a
SUDEL SLID Bolshesism of many of the far left's Dave Sparts. 1 was therefore surprised at the venom
and its thoroughgoing sectarianism. In short methought he protested
For does David Widgery really wanl Martin Shaw's spleen against the SWP "moderated'? Il so then surely references to self-appointed
and insinuations of personal vanity and ultra-intellectualism are scarely likely to clicit a warm and loving response. Such personal jibes should he given the short-shrift
Widgery socms to see a contradicrion between
USOTAOOD Trotskyism and his owit style. Asa member of the IMG I would be the first lo admit that it ha over the last decade often been patronising and Sectarian towards the SWP. But as we are nor
surely chink that organisations can make mistakes without being tainted with the blemishes of original sin?
The very fact that the humour is wearing thin and that the jokes are less and less telling, shows the ersentin weakness of the argument. In short i pot pouri of bons mots and bad ones "guesses, reminiscences and accusations of sectarianism cannor take the place of a serious discussian abour how to win working class people in this country to the cause of socialism When all the extraneous rein is conco ava there is amazingly tittle substance in Darid Widgery's letter; merely an untoward cynicism as to the honesty of the IMG's intendions in seeking revolutionary anity amd the foeling that the passions of working people find littl point ! would agree. But isn't it in the wors organisational seccarianism on the basis of the
No one is saying 'unity now"" nor is anyone serving a menu of soctarian stews. We are
saying that a fusion between the MC could margialise the real octarians on the left, immeasurably increase
to make real wroads on the working class cuT Tort enored by the Commit Party. SucH a projeer is far more realistic and serious than lo expect the SWP by in own effars an individual recruitment to create "the party'. la the past we all laughed at Heals 's efforts to do
Now the laughter is becoming more When mirthless -THOUTS sectarian levective replace politics as they do in Dave Widgery's letter, then he must forgive us for being sceptical ahour the famous opcitiess
the SWP grandards. Let us hope that the far let sale employing quickly outgrow this last spasm of an infantile
left wice humooriss and nob-
Page 15 scan of this page
Did The Other Cinema really have to go?
Coming up for air space
one might think.
for any such non-establishment MARION DAIN
Indeed, these factors and the way they were handled by The Other Cinema (TOC] Collective are far from negligible, but it socios to me that in orace to assess them we have to place them within the perspective of TOC's exhibition projecr.
From Is incepton in mas 1969, TOC was committed to providing distribution and
"independent" and "political films. Operating primarily as a distributor.
durine years that шагкоа сопиансо асенс и
audiences was hulld a Pondlar Cinema with Can important role to play in the
political situation'. (TOC
INDEPENDENT
The cinema at Tollenham Street was the realisation of a long-sought exlubition show-
home "independent' cinema and the means whereby a wealth of progressive, but largely neglect-
films could at last find the echinition outlet they renuined
# was envisaged, moreover That box office returns would help to offset the cost of new tides thereby creating a subsidy for the distribution depart-
which carries hundred political feature films and documentaries for use by film socicties and the labour movement. event, returns from hiring out these films were used to subsidise thie
distribution service which has 30.281 SEE DOURUNE:
Fifteen months ago, cinema s programmer, Paul Marris, described the project
селітрите 10 social and
examine the history of the YOU MAY HAVE read ar taken part in producing a community newspaper in yout locality, or used your local community prishop to run off posters or leallets for 2 demn. Ton may mave usd portable video, tape-slides or photozmphy in a comes context, or maybe tried to gain
radio station. Perhaps you are a worker in the established media who is ted up with their paternalism and excessive dependence on commercial advertising.
FORUM
Iso, you should be interested in the Community Communi-
COMCOM for short, Ir was formed in May 1977 and is a broadly-based,
pressure group for activists and
radically reforming the communications media in Britain. Al present weare concentrating Du enoRs a a regional and local level, where we believe there is most stone lot immediate change
The aimcol COMCOM are to co cremate and act as an mermaion exchange or te development of community
UNDER REVIEW
The end of last year saw the closure of The Other Cinema in Central London, just 14 months after opening. "Predictable yet nevertheless disheartening'.
After all, the financial burden incurred by the venue itself, plus the seemingly pernicious tight-fistedness of the British Film Institute are surely shackles enough
enterprise, writes
cinema from viewpoint... to develop
audience. Viewed as intentions
attitude towards the role of the
There to criticise.
Moweret I's Worth embhas ising that a film culture. "left-wing' or otherwise cannot be developed without an audience, and the notion of "socialist cinema (to me, least) is extremely unclear. The point is that TOC scamed to assume that an audience on the left already existed for many of its Giles. In fact, audience does not exist.
The repertoire of opposition al films was viewed often by tiny audiences mostly made up of those already involved oppositional film practice. The devclopment of a constituency for 'independent" film rests on challenuine the notion dr art produced for consumption which tends iD expectations that many people lake with them to the cinena But further, what assumptions do they bold abour the nature of political film-making?
AUDIENCE
In recent years, the extubitión practices developed by groups and co-ops incorporated analysis of relation berwoon given films and their intended audiences, and through this work potential audiences for independent' cinema have emerged. Since the left means nothing homo
the ences vary caormously in their
CELL BESTEDLICTS It therefore seems necessary that arecisey these assume tions must first be interrogated
programmes, and that the iden
Community communications
From the Community Communications Group
ding press, video, film, radio.
nications resources. We wantro
OwnersHP operaton of radio and tele vision srations, with adequate lundine lar communis communication services.
Weare alsocampaigning For a statutory right of access to and cifective communication and information services - Jrom local 10 national level: as well as toc democratic control over these services.
We have so far published two editions of Comcom News, our: LIK Newslerrer, which fune and
HUSHS exchange beiween the many
going on throughout Brutam,
as the latest information pr
sity media field.
We hare also published n 42
of broadcating winch we sub
socialist such an
ENC
film
have
the of programming should be extended to include docuHSH0U UI3LU3157 pecial events around key
debates. anilled ar our evidence to thie Home Secretary. Broadly speaking. we supported the Annan contmittee's analysis
duopoly of the BBC and JBA information broadcasting systems which
were the major short-term
of new and radical develop ments in British broedcasting.
We therefore strongly codorsed its proposais for the
casteng Authority
page pamphler in reple to the cacourage new fores of non-
ownership of local radio and
and craneles to Lorden, Midlands, West South Wales,
which Liverpool on
would
and possibly others
TOC's mistaken assumptior. ahour the nature of its audience mean! that many of its films were rewarded us inaccessio: or elitist". or were consumed in opposed its proposal that local hroudesire chanti be finane es solely from advertising.
Our activities lo date have included establishing recons
непали:
West Yorkshire. SouthEast Midlands, North-west half-inch Scotland, Northern Ireland casselles Kand comacis in the Irish Republic). We are holding our first UK Gencral Meeting
Sacurday 28 January, at whiel we intead to establish working groups to examine the followine areas,
of much the same way
(elevision documentary: (What I mean is that many political
Hims, while aiming to change content - present the 'correct"
Local radio: to examine access to air-time, control pl
Community cable radio experiments: to co-ordinate and
ween the live cable radio ex
Dy the Home Dice. Access o
Video and Audioto Broadcasting: 1c
lechnica constraints. The White Paper on broadcasting
respanse working party to reply to the White Paper due
printing, publishing and lib
SOCIALIST CHALLENGE, 26 January, 1978, page 15 position — use the same mode
Film-making documentaries. Thes the whole question of aesthetics as ar ideological weapon remains marguialised.
To crode that marginalism is
developing
left-wing film culture'. Ir learning to view the kinds of films that characterise oppositional cinema, andiences will hegin to develop a critique of dominant cinema and from that point may begin 10 re-examine the history of the cinema from a socialist viewpoint
In terms of a venue, however, I'm not convinced chat cinema such as Totrenham Street's was necessary at thes point. This -15 underestimate the importance col good exhibitipe facilities and space for discussions, but the business of popularising the idea of Popular Cinema would secm, in its carlier stages at least, to involve only small groups of people tor which more modest bur flexible Tacilites (such as the London Film Makers' Co-op) are adequate and less demanding financially:
As for the British Film Institute, it seems easy to accuse i or reneging comotiment to British tim culture. TOC closed Docember when the Institute turned down the application far: 135.000 for the cinema, n [15,000 cash injection for the distribution department, and a discussion on 2 phased subsidy over the next years However, it did inirially contribute/17,000to enablethe cinema to open. TOC, given it perenially precarious financia position, should have ensured that its project would sustain BFl scrutiny in the event of a request formoney.
This is no: to advocate
acknowledge one of the many contradicrions of developing an oppositional film culture and lo
should have heen foreseen as pie of the polirics of TOC's DELHICLE CORES REAVES IN CORSIRE based med s
If you are interested attending the monting in Liv
comino a memb (individual annual subscrip
receiving a copy o CUr Annan response or war further information, piesse
Derek Jones COMCOM Information Officer 8 Millie d Close Cheshire Tal 0629 270554 (home), or 0925 51144 ext 15C Or if you live in the Lonco region; Simon Pertridge.
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Page 16 scan of this page
NO NEWS IS BAD NEWS
WH Smith's give us a test run
toan end.
Now the fact of the matter is that the document only makes sense when examined tozether with the other documents in our possession. These are the ones that British Leyland desperately anxious to keep secret because they reveal the millions of pounds which the firm spends in bribes — the so-called "Market Factor'.
We were not the only people who faced problems last week Two Labour MPs. Tom Litterick and Denis Skinner, also suffered the same fate They sent the documents to Callaghan ing yaricy. latter pleaded judicial privilege ano Said notone coLd De done until the Old Bailey trial of
committee which
ask certain questions disallowed
matter in the House ConuBors, thus demonstratine that the procedures in Mother of Parliaments are both cumbersome and democratic.
The lawyers at The Times and the Evening Standard WH Smiths,
WHO SEEMIN Menzies dominate the distribelion of newspapers and magezines in Britain, are to give
For 8 weeks Socialist Challenge will be available in 10 of Smiths" London shops. If the test is successful, Smiths will consider national distribution.
SUSIES NEVA PLACE great difficulties organising u national sales network. For the inost part we rely on local sellers in 70 towas and friendly newsagents. Needless to say that leaves hundreds of towns and cities where the paper is not available. A good response in this trial period in Lendon could lead to a breakthrough in our distribution nationwide. From small acorns
Leyland cover-up continues
AFTER WE went to press last week, British Leyland confirmed that the document we had printed on Page 3 was indeed genuine. It was all above board, they stated as it referred to perfectly legal commissions. Why, in that case, demanded our reporter Geoff Bell, was it marked "Private and Confidential'? *No Comment' replied British Leyland, bringing the brief conversation
cation of the story. Both papers Birmingham Post which did pun toe story posts trom parc. It quated Tom Litterick as
demandine an end to commercial secrecy and the opening of Leyland's hooks.
Meanwhile in Oxford a branch of the Transport Workers Union has condemned The censorship and called on Cowley Shop Stewards to take uD Ine maller pertaining to the documents is now in the hands of most of the senior stewards in Bitish Leyland throughout The demand of Open the Books has often been used in an abstract and meaningless fasbion by socialssin the past In the case of British Leyland, WICE COWLEE WILLIE hacking of Varley and the the large-scale "rationalisations", it demand. The right of workers and thesr elected representa lives to see all the books of British Leyland (including the
large oaks grow!
Basilden Brent Cross Churing Crosstall Edgware Golders Green Kings Crossmainstall SiPaucrasstall South Hampstead Victoria Concoursestall in waterloo Southstall We will keep our readers informed of the success or otherwise of this senture.
Socialist Challenge
by IDE
BRIBES
TALOCOUR
the is planning
and accounts of the managerst should he eusht for t workers, us a first step towards The fund drive picked up enough to stop the foundations rather shaky. Our supporters in Santh Fast London E30 for "puint and brushes?
Perhaps some other supporters would like to send us doorframes, windows, scaffolding...
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NO NEWS is bad news.
Socialist Challenge has decided not to publish this week the
relating to the Leyland slash Tand. We apologise to our readers bet the decision was only made afterlong and careful
We had been scopped from
last week by the Director of Public Prosecutions on whose behalf Superinten dent Wilson of Scotland Yard had told us that we faced prosecution for contempt of coun if we published the docu
In last week sedition we called this censorship. We doso again.
does not always take the form of the thought police arriving al a newspape office arined with a red pencil. 11
we could have faced a massive
which would threatened our existence. The DPP knew that, and it is that knowledge which defines their
censorship. Censorship of a different sort operated in the bourgeons news coverage of the suppression of the articles in Socialist Challempe. Not one
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national newspaper reported theevent.
Once more the law has been utilised to censor a left wing newspaper. Once more those
defenders of the free press have not raised a murmur. When i left wing newspaper seeks to
which embarrass the entire establishment, Dress freedom becomes expendable
We are still discussing the information contained in the documents with British Leyland shop stewards. If they feel tha the strugele against the plans to axe 30,000 workers would be aided by publication we wonk seriously consider putting the future of this paper at risk
Throughout last wock we had discussion with comrades from the Socialist Worker editorial hoard to whom we made che documents available. becomes necessary both papers will consider simultaneous publication. Against the self-censorship of the unfree press we have the unity and determination of the workers press.
Editorial Bourd [neme of yourbank
[branch,
Toddrens
← Socialist Challenge No. 29, 19 January 1978Socialist Challenge No. 31, 2 February 1978 →