WITH LESS than eight weeks to go before Labour's Special Conference on April 29 large rallies have been organised in defence of Clause Four.
On the eve of Greater London Labour Party Conference 300 people at Conway Hall heard Doreen Cameron (NATHFE) Mildred Gordon (MP for Bow & Poplar) and Arthur Scargill (NUM) speak in favour of retaining Clause Four in Labour's consulution.
Video
Over £375 was collected and numerous copies of Ken Loach's video and Defend Clause 4 badges were sold.
GLLP went on to vote in favour of Clause Four by 59 per cent to 41 2 percent with the trade unions voting in favour of the Clause by more than a 2 to 1 majority.
On March 1 at a meeting organised by Ealing Trades Council 200 turned out to listen to Tony Renn and Bob Crowe (RMT Assistant General Secretary)
The March round of General Committee meetings will see delegates chosen for the April special conference. It is essential that the left stands pro-Clause Four candidates in every constituency and passes the Model Resolution on this page.
In the CLP's that have deHard-line for Clause Four: Mildred Gordon cided to have an OMOV ballot on the NEC's Statement of Aims and Values we must fight for the ballot to also include the Question - "Do you support Clause Four in its current wording?"
The campaign is now at a crucial stage. The weekend of March 11/12 sees the North West Region and the Scottish Labour Party conferences.
Blair looks set to win in the North West.
The vote in Scotland will be close. Party members have come under enormous pressure.to back Brian Wilson's "new" Clause Four.
Wilson you may remember was the leadership's choice to rubbish Ken Loach and his video made in support of the Defend Clause Four Campaigli.
Wilson is so open to democratic debate that he refused even to consider watching the video! No doubt he was too busy arm-twisting.