Socialist Outlook was formed through the merger ofthe currents arcund two morozines International ond Socialist Viewpoint Who Our very first issue, in 1991, warned that:
"The change that Kinnockism has wrought in the Labour Party is drastio ... One thing that is certain is that the smug certainties of Kinnockism are heading to a crash. The next election will either produce defeat, and Kinnock's replacement, or the most right wing Labour goverment ever."
Nor have the responses to the rightpast five years. In 1991 we analysed the didate Lesiey Mahmood in the Walton by-election, with a warning: "The candidature was a tactical mistake •. Stanulng agaanst tne outicial Labour canclcaic wowld nave made tough local battles, like the struggle of the Asian women at Burnsalls and other fights.
Our paper was also there to reinforce ane lett in union conferenes inciddlng the RMT. UNISON and the NUT. as well as analysing the bosses' scientific methods of destrovine the streneth of unions under the impact of 'New Management Techniques.
Two other themes jump out from the pages of our first hundred issues: the fight against racism - both the brute violence of fascist thugs and the stateSancuonca violence of tne police and racist laws such as the Asylum and Immigration Bill; and the struggle to defend the Welfare State, and in parThe need for 'Socialist Outlook' Socialist Oulook believes that the future of humanity lies in a society free from exploitation and oppression. This can only be achieved by ending capitalism.
Whatever changes there have been in industry and lifestyle patterns, the basic contradictions of capitalist society remain fundamental in creating a world based on inequality and oppression.
Society is still divided between chose who live off the labour of others and those who have to work in ofder to survive-capitalism needs this exploitation of the working class by the ruling class to function.
This is why we support all those who struggle against capitalism, and the discrimination and oppression that always accompanses il But it is not enough for socialists to simply lend their support to these struggies, we also try to take them Marxists have an important contribution to make, offering both answers to some of the central questions of anti-capitalism, and practical support where we can.
We do not pose ourselves as defenders of some sort of true faith—it is only through the experience of struggle and the political movements that arise out of it that the need for a socialist solution to the crisis becomes recognised by the mass of people.
A small current cannot pretend to have all the answers. We have to Socialist Owilook does not therefore set itself aside from the workers' movement and the organisations of the oppressed.
We have our own views-some of which are similar to other socialists. some of which are aillerent oul we try to show their relevance and imporLance through practical involvement and debate. Socialist Outlook' supporters on London ant-racist demanstra don in Februnry Socialist Outlook 100 • April 6, 1996.