Soft: the Kinnock leadership roup split loyalty to basic socialist ideals are trying to work out viable socialist projects. Among these former party secretary Dave Cook is running a sustained campaign for a new socialist Trune 11 January and Socialist 18 January). Cook's proposal is basically for a 'red-green' party.
Unless one thinks that the Labour Party is the historic instrument for socialism in Britain, a view disproved by 86 years of history, the ultimate need for a new socialist party can hardly be contested.
But the issue is whether declaring a new red-green party now is a viable project. Cook's advocacy of this project slides over the political basis on which such a party would be established To be worthwhile a new party needs a clear anti-capitalist programme and substantial support. The first is unclear and the second definitely lacking. A new "party which was smaller than the SWP or the Militant tendency, their right politically, would be a dead duck at birth.
In the present inhospitable circumstances for socialists in the Labour Party, there is a strong temptation to give This is redlected also in the projec what appears to be a pointles who plan to evacuate the Labour Party and mount a widespread clectoral chalenge to Labour The argument for refusing this optior does not rely on Labour Party loyalism, party is worthless. Indeed, there is a massive amount of work for socialists to do, in the trade unions, in the move ments of the specially oppressed, and in mass campaigns like that against racism.
But the relationship of forces inside the labour movement, and in British society, is vitally affected by what hap pens inside the Labour Party. There is a constant interaction between the class struggle, the fight in the unions, and political struggle inside the party. Although its forces are much reduced, the Labour left remains pivotal in how the prospects for the left will unfold.
Crisis
In the future, it is not excluded that new defeats in the class struggle and perhaps even an election defeat for abour, would shift the party even further to the right, difficult to imagine though that may be. If Labour lost the election, the credibility of the party as a party of government could unleash a huge crisis. Attempts could be made to force out the whole of the left, or make socialist work in the Labour Party ar party (see nost impossible. If this were successful t would be an immense defeat for the left. Even if socialists then regrouped in a new party, it would be a party born out The tactical tasks of socialists will be greatly affected by what happens in the general election. If Labour wins, then socialists must form a broad alliance. inside and outside the Labour Party, to campaign against Kinnock's capitalist policies, and for an alternative policies. The left's fight must not be "improvements' to Kinnockism, but for a complete break with its capitalist Re-nationalisation Wide support could be built in the and well to labour movement for a charter of demands that included re-nationalisation, nuclear disarmament and big defence spending cuts, the abolition of he trade union laws, withdrawal from Ireland, positive action for women and black people and constitutional reform.
The left could be strengthened in the Labour Party whether then a swathe of opinion which has supported Kinnock as the only realistic electoral option could eel away to the soft left cal recomposition on the hasis of defeat. which could also shift the party leadership to the right.
If present opinion polls are right, a hung parliament is a real possibility in that event. the demand that Labour forms minority with no formal or informal coalition with the Liberals will become central.
The worst-case scenario, a new Tory government, would make the task for socialists very difficult. Demoralisation in the labgur movement coula lead to a renewed rightward shift. Socialists Supporter of Socialist Movement: Tony Benn MP would have to prepare for harsh defen sivestruggles against the background of Whatever the outcome of the election, two things remain constant. First is the need to create the broadest principled unity in the labour movement and movements of the oppressed; second is the need not to retreat on anti-capitalist demands in the name of 'realism', or to form combinations with the soft left.
Socialist Movement Socialists have to find the organisaresponse. Here the role of the Socialist Movement is crucial. The strength of the movement is that it unites socialists inside and outside the Labour Party socialism and anti-capitalist policies.
However the post-election situation will necessitate re-focusing the projects strengthening its organisational capitalist front, must avoid premature and artificial divides over whether to work inside or outside the Labour Party. And critically the soft left attempts to stymie and marginalise the socialist left in the Labour Party must be defeated.
Photo: John Harte bion.
Features ¡ ARMED TRUCGLEN -REVOLUTION POLITICS This is a situation which must be conTonica not ony Dy gays and isolan our by all repubncans Ve declare tha we desire our country to be ruled in accordance with the principles of liberty equality and justice for all' states the 1919 Democratic Programme of Dáil Eireann.
Republicans who havealways been to the fore on issues of justice and equality must recognise the oppression of gays/lesbians and identify with them and resolve the contradictions in their attitude and behaviour which add to that oppression.
Our participation in the national liberation struggle does not detract from it but reinforces a struggle that is indeed about the freedom and equality No oneshould feel excluded. Gay men and lesbian women, especially within the Republican Movement, must begin the process of full integration and acceptance into the struggle by becoming more visible and naking our voices heard. resolved only be confronting emand only be confronting them and by exposing the oppression they cause, with the resultant fear, isolation and violence. This experience is not imaginary; they are a daily reality for gays and lesbians the Bogside, Falls Managhan, Dungannon, Ardoyne, Ballymun, Crossmaglen and every other