Experience shows that we connot rely on the existing leaders to leod o fight ANY READER of Socialist Outlook can see how deep our differences are with the existing leaders of the trade unions and Labour Party.
Webelieve that by and large they are unwilling to lead the working class even in a minimum defence of its interests. let alone in the struggle for social.
ARE NOT But trades unionists and Labour Party supporters still look to them fora are a small minority at the moment.
Serious socialists need to find a way that is consistent with the current needs and consciousness of the class.
We reject an approach based on exposure-putting forward demands which we know they will never support in order to and declare "hah, told you so" when they refuse to take them up.
We therefore fight for the maximum unity in action around the demands of workers and the specially oppressed. The maximum possible democratic debate is necessary in this process so that put forward their ideas about the way Unity is vital. But experience shows chat we cannot rely on the existing lead. ers to lead a fight—they will call it off at the first opportunity or settle for less. and certainly not pursue the struggle as vigorously as possible.
Unity around common demands must therefore be combined with criti. cism of the leaders where necessary. We should support them in so far as they are willing to lead the struggle, but criticise them unmercifully when they This approach is clearly not designed simply to expose the leadership. It is only through experience that workers come to recognise the shortcomings of the leadership and that there is an* WORKPLACE organisation is the basic form of defence against attacks from the bosses.
It is important to strengthen the unions through recruitment, building up workplace representation and participation by the membership in all decision-making.
Only with such strong local organi. sabon can the constant aracas of the bosses be resisted.
Bur we diso recognise that tr struggles of the working class are often beld back by the trade union leaders. This bureaucracy, through its constant closeness to the bosses, its working conditions and much higher pay develops different interests to those they are supposed to represent. They de their utmost to avoid strug gle through concessions and comprodeveloping the fight of their members. A serious stragele unsets their cosy relationship with the bosses and endangers their position.
We refuse to accept the argument that the unions should "leave politics to the Labour Party" —which really means leave it to those who share the political views of the trade union bu. scaucracy If union militants are to recognise the tasks involved in the fight against canitalism nationally and internation ally, then political discussion and solidarity are an essential part of union organisation.
Socialist Ourlook fights for maximum union democracy, clectson and accountability of officials.
There is a need to organise in the unions both around particular issues. such as a pay claim, and more generally to transform the unions into fighting. democratic bodies.
Such left formations need to both campaien among the membership and struggle for a new leadership to replace the bureaucracy with milltants willing to lead a fight and be acrevolution and denouncing all around