Attlee's 1945 Labour government had Clause 4, nationalisations - but was not a socialist government Even when it has had to appear to support such fights, as with the General Strike of 1926, it has used its influence to undermine them and, ultimately, to sell them out. Yet at the same time these struggles have enjoyed massive active support from the vast majority of Party members and supporters.
Take the miners' strike of 198485. While the Party leadership under Kinnock did as little as possible, Party members turned out in vast numbers on picket lines and demonstrations.
Only after the strike had been lost was Kinnock able to express his true feelings, going on the offensive against Arthur Scargill and the left in general.
The Clause IV debate has shown that many Party members and trades unionists think Labour should be committed to fundamental change in society.
SOCIALIST OUTLOOK No. 82, April 29 1995. Page 8.