The Labour right wing are hoping that the first year of individual ballots (OMOV) will see their stranglehold on the arty's executive strengthenec "hey hove to see Tony Benn o Dennis Skinner removed, the only consistent voices against Kinnockism left on the leaderthough OMOV has been heralded as the new dawn of party democracy, the procedure is almost designed to produce a low turn out and no discussion. Rather than voting at branch meetings with a postal ballot for those unable to attend, there is central meeting for most constituencies.
Left unable to agree In addition, these meetings are not to discuss the candidates - members are referred • biographical details in abour Party News (LPN). Un To tinatel shambles of the national mem- due to the bership scheme, many do not receive LPN. For further information contact 10b two MPs, who have led the fight against the Poll Tax in Parliament.
The witch hunt against the left was stepped up in the Spring, with the suspension of left councillors in many parts of the country. There have also been moves against supporters This is compounded by the left's inability to agree one slate of candidates.
The Socialist Campaign Group of MPs discussed and drew up their siate in isolation from the rest of the left. Audrey Wise MP is not standing, and the Campaign Group (correctly) decided not to support Jo ichardson because of her sup Sulf for the witch-hunt and the Gulf War Fair weather friends So they decided to replace party conference, has had a usy year. Despite Labour's massive overdraft and the threat of redundancies at the party HQ £300,000 has been spent on expelling just 200 members.
At a rate of £1,600 per expulsion, perhaps party apparatchiks could be won with Skinner (left) and Benn are now beleagured defenders of socialism on the NEC To have endorsed the Campaign Group slate would have exposed the rest of the left as Positive theon To porteredit, "its credit, most of the Left has rejected the slate. Kanta Patel, a Greenwich Councillor and a national vice chair of the Black Section, is standing and Black Sections drew up a slate replacing Dave Nellist MP with her.
This is far from ideal, particularly when Nellist is facing a major witch-hunt. But to draw up another slate would discredit the left even further.
Socialist Outlook supporters and Labour Party Socialists are therefore calling for a vote for the Black Section slate (see box).
This makes it even more imporprospect of a Labour victory on à wave of anti Poll Tax struggles. We now need to channel that anger into the labour movement.
Anti witch hunt campaign at Labour conference Contact Steve French 071 733 3403 Nellist and Fields are submitted to the conference (see above).
Disillusioned
members The left will not make any progress in these elections, but by mobilising the vote we can ensure that Benn and Skinner retain their places and other, lesser-known candidates are established as real contenders for future years. Disillusioned, inactive members need to be encouraged to cast their votes in this election.
The left also needs to increase ressure on the Campaigr Group to ensure that this years debacle is not repeated. A democratic method for discuss-