by E. Madden and THE LOCAL elections produced important changes in Wales.
In the Labour hartlands of the Southern valleys, Plaid Cymru(PC) gained significantlv. For the first time in its 17 years history, Labour lost Taff Ely council: It also lost seats to PC in the Rhymni, Cynon and Lliw valleys and in Neath.
Anti-Poll Tax activists formed a 'Council of Action'and unseated the Labour deputy of Merthyr council. In these Labour areas, councils brutally implemented Poll Tax collection. This slavish obedience to Tory policies caused the swing to Plaid Cymru - a sharp rebuff to Labour. This follows the Ponypridd and Neath by-elections vhere PC sharply cut Labour majorities. minority administration. Here the result was different, with Labour gaining from Tories and Liberal Democrats and winning control. In the key Canton ward, wich saw a massive swing to Labour unseating three Tories, anti-Poll Tax activists mounted a 'Don't Vote Conservative campaign.
There is a clear pattern to the anti-Tory vote in South Wales. Where Labour implemented Tory policies, voters looked elsewhere to protest. Where it was a minority, there was a turn to Labour to test it out.
Now the task of anti-Poll Tax and left activists is to pressurise Carditt councu to ensure that these is no reture Tories practices - doing the Tories' work. Labour councillors can no longer claim that their hands are tied by lack of a majority. This must be the approach throughout South Wales: to Become a Socialist Outlook book.
Plaid Cymru is no alternative. In Taff Ely they are forming a council with independents and Liberal Democrats left opposition to Labour. The adult and further education.
remains unable to confront right-wing Labourism. Plaid has shifted rightwards recently, illustrated by its refusal to back Poll Tax non-payment.
Opportunities
Paradoxically, both the increased Labour and PC votes represent a left swing by sections of the working class. Though the left is not well-placed, opportunities are open in the election aftermath.
Local anti-Poll Tax activists -the backbone of the campaign -need to link up with the Labour left, given the leadership's abstention and Militant's sectatyanicm. They can wone together against the continued effects of the Poll Tax on jobs, services and local democracy. The Labour left can use such links to strengthen their position and bring leaders to account.
Attacks on PC by student supporters of the Campaign Group of MPs, the only organised left in the Welsh party, will not help. Their antinationalist approach has more in common with Kinnockism than the left that must be built in Wales.
The Poll Tax and its effects on local government jobs and services will be felt as the recession deepens in a depressed area. It must be a time oi organisation and preparation bs lett wingers inade ari siste ine West Larva: Tarti. change in support. Having had the telephone cut off by the council, NALGO have suppled two mobile phones. 'into its theird week, this example of how to fight closures is showing every sign of digging its heels in until the council gives way.
On May 1 London NATFHE hardly a called a strike against cuts in