TONY BLAIR is on a bumpy ride in his attempt to change the Labour Party constitution - attacked by MEPs, wrangling with the trade union leaderships and temporarily deserted by many erstwhile supporters in the constituencies.
What is all the fuss about? What is it about Clause IV which has touched a nerve amongst so many in the labour movement?
Superficially Blair's project is interpreted as an attempt to make the Labour party modern and electable-acceptable to the middle classes in the south east. But it is clear that this current fight is part of a far wider project.
Blair knows that in order for 'New Labour' to win and to govern far more must change. He is attempting to shift the perceived values at the heart of the Labour Party; to move it from its traditional social democratic, collectivist framework onto new ground.
Previous discussions in the Labour Party and the media about Lib/Lab coalitions have temporarily disappeared but Blair's vision for the Labour party is entirely consistent with that agenda.
His aim is to situate at the heart of the Labour Party's constitution a form of words which reflects a 'radical' democratic agenda totally dissociated from any 'radical' social and economic principles.
Europe
The Labour Party's aims must include aspirations to equality and democracy, in Blair's eyes bringing the party into line with 'modern' Euro pean social democracy, without any commitment to the economic and social polices which can create even the previously inadequate welfarism of the post 1945 Labour Party.
This line of march follows on from the earlier 1980s projects of Marxism Today (the magazine which pronounced 'the end of the working class'), the current interest by many Blairites in 'communitarianism' (focusing on the individual's responsibility within the family as the key to social stability) and follows exactly the framework laid out in Robin Blackburn's article before the last election, "The Ruins of Westminster' which advocated a Lib/Lab alliance.
Blair is above all engaged in making Labour acceptable to the Liberal Democrats and the pro-European bourgeoisie.
The Liberal Democrats press officer who attended the recent press launch of the Defend Clause IV campaign was in no doubt. When asked what would be the difference between Labour and the Lib Dems if Clause IV were changed her reply was succinct and to the point, 'there won't be one'.
Clearly this is an exaggeration. The Clause IV fight is merely one - albeit important -part of a deeper and more lengthy project to change the nature of the Labour Party.
A victory for Blair would open up further assaults on the trade union link. This wider process is what makes its defence so crucial to the left.
The scale of victory or defeat is crucial to the speed and severity of future attacks on the left and trade unions.
The battle to change Clause IV is not about defending "socialism': Clause IV does not and never did represent socialism.
It is clear that this is recognised, if not articulated by the very varied and heterogenous groupings currently involved in defending the existing wording.
The alliance to Defend Clause IV ranges from David Winnick MP and the MEPs to Scargill and the Campaign Group. This issue has not just reactivated the old Bennite left but a far broader alliance is being created in defence of social democracy.
Battle
It is a deeply ideological struggle, absolutely linked to the class struggle. Its importance for the left cannot be underestimated.
It is not just about winning or losing this important battle, but about affecting the balance of forces in the longer war.
This fight is about how far Tony Blair will go in embracing the Thatcherite view that 'there is no such thing as society' and her stress on the utter centrality of the individual.
It is about individualism versus collectivism. As David Marquand, pro-Liberal intellectual put it at the Labour Co-ordinating Committee conference for a new Clause IV, the struggle is about Marxism or Liberalism as the predominant ideology amongst those opposed to the Tories.
It is a struggle taking place amid the evidence of the failure and inadequacy of social democracy to provide any solution to the gathering crisis of global capitalism.
Friday Feb 10 CLAUSE 4 rally with Arthur Scargill 7.30pm Union Ciub Pershore Road Birmingham.
SUSSEX
Weds Feb 15 CLAUSE 4 meeting with Alan Simpson, Haywards Heath.
CLAUSE 4 rally with Arthur Scargill, Cardiff.
LIVERPOOL
Thurs Feb 23 CLAUSE 4 meeting with Arthur Scargill LONDON Friday Feb 24 CLAUSE 4 London rally, Conway Hall
CARDIFF Friday Feb 17