Defending the machinery: the Parkside women held a rally in the pump room from the Sandinistas in Nicahaving been formally 'shut' Secretary, Southampton TUC The TUC call for a national demonstration in the East End of London, on March 19 is a major step forward. The full weight of the labour movement must be mobilised against racism and fascism.
But we cannot rely on the TUC bureaucracy to organise anything larger than a press conference. Activists in union branches and Trade Union Councils will have to rally support for the demonstration.
Saturday 4 December saw the second 'Labour and Trade Union Conference; Fighting Racism and Fascism'. It was organised by Bexley Trades Union Council, which covers Welling, the site of the BNP HQ.
The conference, held at the TUC's Congress House, launched a new 'Labour and Trade Union Campaign against Racism and Fascism' (LTUCARF).
This is very welcome, if long overdue. There were approximately 100 delegates and ob servers, most representing local union branches and Trade Union Councils.
Speakers included Joe Gordon (IGWU Region 1), Nick Stone (Anti Fascist Action) and spokespeople from the South East Region TUC, the Campaign Against Racism and Fascism and Women United Against Racism. Speakers who failed to show were representatives of: the Labour Party, TUC General Council and Anti Racist Alliance.
The conference was refreshingly non-sectarian. No group dominated or tried to dominate the proceedings. Places were reserved on the Steering Committee for representatives of the An urgent campaign has been launched to attempt to win the vote.
To generate pressure and publicity, there will be a lobby of Parliament and public meeting in the Grand Committee Room on the evening of Monday 17 January. All supporters of equality are being urged to take part.
Advance
Though the issue itself is of immediate concern only to gay men -there is no specific age of consent for lesbians- there is no doubt that success in this vote would be a fantastic advance for the lesbian and gay rights struggle.
Crucial to victory will be other main campaigns (eg ANL, YRE, AFA and ARA).
Labour Party The campaign is open to affiliation from both Labour Party and trade union bodies.
The proposed constitution reserved half of the ten steering committee places, elected at conference, for Labour Party delegates.
This generated the most controversy. The proposal was agreed, but only two Labour delegates were willing to take up the positions. London Chauvinism The conference was dominated by local London Trade Union Councils. TUCs in the South East Region will be allowed to affiliate and send a delegate to the steering committee.
A proposed amendment to open affiliation to TUCs throughout the country was rejected out of hand, the chair would not even put the proposal to the vote. Several delegates referred to SERTUC as the 'London Region' of the TUC. It seemed that many delegates saw the BNP and racial violence as a local 'London problem'.
The campaign will be seeking affiliations from national trade unions. Delegates at the conference came from as far as Sheffield and Nottingham. The parochialism of comrades in the metropolis came as a big surprise.
March 19 demo The key test of the new campaign will be in mobilising for the national demo. It must coordinate and support the work of local organisations. If it succeeds, it can go on to initiate further activities.
This campaign is too important to fail. Its success, no matter how limited, must be built on.
solid support from Labour MPs.
Despite absolutely categorical Party Conference Policy in support of equality at 16, a substantial number of Labour MPs -including some on the left.
seem to be shaky on the issue.
It is therefore important that pressure is brought to bear from within the labour movement to ensure that there is a maximum turn out from Labour MPs, in support of full equality.
The Labour Campaign for Lesbian and Gay Rights has thrown itself into this task - but success can only be achieved by ALL socialists mobilising in the next few days to try to bring about what would be a remarkable victory against the current reactionary consensus.