by Kieran Mac an Ultaigh THIS YEAR'S Conference, in Leicester on 14-15 May, was attended by about fifty members from branches as far afield as Newcastle and Sinn Fein member Barry McElduff spoke about how his party saw the peace process aimed at resolving the war in the North of Ireland.
The main political discussion centred around a resolution from TOM's steering committee. This stated: 'the Adams-Hume initiative has achieved the greatest advance for the cause of Irish national emancipation since the hunger strike period of 1981'.
It argued future campaigning slogans should include Negotiate now for British withdrawal from Ireland'. The campaign theme should be 'British withdrawal and self-determination are the preconditions for lasting peace in Ireland'.
An amendment from Birmingham and Leicester TOM branches, backed by Socialist Outlook supporters, called for deleting the reference to the Adams-Hume initiative. It proposed as campaigning slogans End censorship. Talk to Sinn Fein. Peace through British withdrawal' - deleting 'negotiate. The amendment argued campaigning themes should include unconditional British withdrawal from Ireland'.
This was defeated by nineteen votes to sixteen, with a number of abstentions.
A second amendment, proposed by members of Manchester TOM and again backed by Socialist Outlook, called for changing the campaigning slogan to Peace through British withdrawal from Ireland' - again deleting 'negotiate'.
Campaigning themes should include 'British withdrawal and self-determination for the Irish people as a whole is the precondition for lasting peace in Ireland'. This was passed by conference and is now TOM policy.
A number of less contentious resolutions were passed, particularly on the future organisation of TOM and production of the magazine.
Conference also officially launched the campaign to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of British troops going onto the streets of the Six Counties.
This campaign culminates in a march in London on Saturday 13 August with a week-end school planned for October. • For further information contact TOM at: BM TOM, London, WC1N 3XX, or phone 071 609 1743, or fax 071 607 7464. state. We believe people in Britain also suffer from the corrosive effects of this last colonial war. The arming of the police, the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the broadcasting ban are all attacks on our civil liberties justifled by the conThe 25th Anniversary Demonstration Committee wants to stage a massive display of defiance to continued British rule in Ireland. Support is urgently required from organisations and individuals. For £50 national organisations can sponsor the demonstration. It costs £25 for local organisations £10 for individuals, though of course any contribution is welcome.
An advertisement in a national daily paper is planned for August. If you or your organisation want to appear on it the rates are the same as for sponsorship. Posters, leaflets, further details and speakers can be obtained from TOM.