Women For Socialism at Sheffield on the ground. Cosmed Women Against Fundamen- talism will be at the conference, which will allow follow-up discus- sion from the Echrary conference on the issues raised by the Rushdic affair, as well as more debate on the general questions of international Discussion on the economy and women's employment too will provide a means to understand the effects of the changing economic and demographic situation on women and work. It is well known that women have suffered from the changing patterns of employment, with very large numbers working part time, flexible hours or in tem- porry work - none of which carry statutory benefits such as sick pay, materity leave, or holiday pay. After its own successful con- ference in February, Women For Socialism will be at the Socialist Conference in Shef. field, raising to the centrestage the concerns and struggles of women and building the wider movement for socialism. During the Policy Group Workshops there will be two plen- ary sessions on women's policy on Internationalism Economy and the Changing Pat- terns of Women' = Employment. The plenary and workshops on intemationalism will be a good op- portunity to build the links between anti-racist and anti-imperialist strug- gles as they are experienced by women. It is hoped that the newly is therefore ripe for the Socialist Conferencetocon- solidate itself into a class struggle current - a move ment which defends the in- terests of the working class as well as Thaicher defends the interests of her class. The strengths of the conti- ponent parts of the Con- ference however, are un- even. There is no doubt that the vast majority of the people who look to Chester- field are in the Labour Party. With a number of the best Campaign Group MPs in- volved, the links with the Party are strong, as of course they should be. But the same cannot be said of the trade unions. Despite a similar level of membership
Page R
national level; this must include opposition to If should also support all campaigns the fight to defend the Labour Party's If the Socialist Conference agrees to transform itself into a movement that with only 27 per traditional nuclear prepared to fight right have as yet been unable to legislate to change the 1967 Abortion Act in the face of mass resistance by women. Women have been in the forefront, leading struggles against Thatcher's policies in the NHS and teaching for hundred or so members and its very successful 400-strong first conference behind it, provides the autonomous, organisational form through which Chesterfield can both support women fighting for their rights and develop policy which puts women's rights at the centre of our demands. Its aim of trying to huild a socialist- feminist current is a bold and difficult one, but is nevertheless as necessary as is the building of a lef current in the trade unions, in the Lastly there are several national and intera tional campaigns to which Cheaterfield most relate and openly build, if it is to be scen as a usetul vehicle for fighting back against Thatcher, It must be more prominent in huild- ing resistance to the Poli Tax, particularly at the fighting for the withdrawal of British "troops from Northem Ireland. It should give wholehearted support to the libera- lion struggles in South Africa and Central America, And it should continue rcally organises the rank and file and by a woman! The shift from full-time to part-time and temporary work has hit women hard; the redaction in social services carers at home; the crisis in the family. cent now living in a family', affects women above all. But women have continually been those back. The ultra- Women For Socialism, with its three has made many full-time registration and refusal to pay. among Labour Party and in the campaigns. into unilateralist policy. Chesterfield's strength in the Labour Party has not been matched in the unions CONFERENCE SOCIALIST attacksby this first British govemmentto be led ATURES policy and into supporting strikes as they arise, ing the racist state and against racist attacks and to lesbians and gay men in their fight to make al change to make the capitalist state more The third area where Chesterfield should place its energies and resourues is amongst cluded from this either by design or by accident glen in the workplaces means that Chesterfield must put a lot of energy into both developing For example in the docks, among the transport unions, and in the NHS unions in the fight against the White Paper, if it is to build the left Equally the question of democratic rights, al all levels, is very important, given the achieve- ments of the Tory government Chesterfield will have to give support to black people fight- their own sexual choice without suffering dis- crimination, as well as supporting constitution- women. Women have borne the brunt of many MHS The centrality of the trade unions and strug- DAY and gain credibility in that sector. \THE IUUR ERVICE EALTH would be disastrous. EA LL the Callaghan Govermont, we are likely to see tionally. The decisive shifts achieved by The one difference - and it is a central one - create a wave of optimism and confidence among the working class and the oppressed. With policies indistinguishable from those of takes. There will be anti-working class measures, austerity, and capitulation to the demands of capital both nationally and intera- Thatcher on democratic rights including the right to strike, the right to decent housing, free education, health care, the right to free speech, to freedom from racial attack, and to sexual is that the election of a Labour government will The anger, when this optimism is seen to have Comhined with a new confidence, it could create very important left devclopments hoth in the Labour Party and the unions. To be ex- been misplaced, could be very widespread Labour Govemment will solve few of the problems facing working people in Britain. a Kinnock Goverment make the same mis- choice, will not be reversed by Kinnock the y Buager DAY NHS Day these lessons. national left 5 and build a new o Party... which absolute in- Vol.3. must be to |cam the election of a long together, but the had proven its bureaucratic dullness and ability to ap- the term aim today ment because Communist [working) Writings (Trotsky's Page 95) Britain, toward proach The class.*
ing inside and outside the Labour Party. continues its twin track policy of build- in the trade unions and campaigos, on the ground in the struggles but also at leader-
Jane Kelly Page 9 ship level, then its future looks pretty good lt will remain the only politically significant left current in national politics today. Women are always in the forefront of struggles to defend the NHS SOCIALIST OUTLOOK no 16 June 1989
pendent interests of the European and intema- Health and safety at work and in the com munity is now a major political issue in Britain. Scargill: Isolated opponent of the new realism Health and safety tional working class. ture Labour Government, Recent court decisions show time and again that the Tory anti-union laws and the way they are used by the courts are the single most serious problem break the Tory lawn and for their repeal by a fu- FEATURE TO: attacks on the democratic rights of the Socialists need campaigning against the unions - both the need to dustry and services, and reverse Tory The Socialist Conference must have policics to re-nationalise privatised in- a clear position on the use of the law The trade unions and the Time to