Menem's Argentina. SOCIALIST OUTLOOK no 17, Summer 1989
THI MILLIN NOM PAYEIS 51.1 THONTGBEN Gordon Morgan The third socialist conference in Sheffield on June 17-18 marked a new stage in the development of the opposition to 'new realism' with the launch of the Socialist Movement.
With a full programme of national iniatives including the vital trade union conference in November, a second national conference of Women for Socialism next spring and a national convention on democratic rights, as well as the crucial task of developing its own apparatus, the Socialist Movement will have a busy time ahead. It is vital that the left as a whole understands the importance of building this Movement and the unique role that it can play in developing an opposition and alternative to Kinnock throughout the labour movement.
Such support from the various different groupings on the left should not be seen as in any way counterposed to building our own campaigns and organisations on the one hand, or from the need to have the fullest and frankest discussion about the perspectives and priorities of the Socialist Movement itself. Many of those participating in the Sheffield conference complained of democratic structures, the exclusive character of several of the policy groups and insufficient attention devoted to campaigning priorities as a focus for work on the ground in each area.
The conference was also marked by a sunstantial political involvement from the Morning Star and the Communist Party of Britain, who clearly intend a serious involvement in the Socialist Movement and have considerable influence in the Campaign Group of MP's (with both Jeremy Corbyn and Tony Benn giving substantial endorsements to the Morning Star newspaper). The involvement of such forces could strengthen the hand of the Socialist Move-
FEATURES JOIN THE MILLION PAYERS NON PAYERS DON'T COLLECT - DON'T PAY Will the Socialist Movement help swell the army of t million non-payers of poll tax?