the Preston left has remained By Mike dominated by the politics of Milno-Picken the Socialist Campaign Group. THE CAMPAIGN for the lo- The left won majority concal elections in Preston trol of the Labour group last May by 16 votes to 15, in what came alight in April when the press called a left "coup. right-wing councillors Since then the left has sought used the press to launch an to open up the council, fight corattack on the left leadership ruption following the 'Operation of the council. Angel' police investigation of Banner headlines on the council officers and right-wing front page of the Lancashire councillors, and improve counEvening Post reported that 14 cil services and equal opportuLabour councillors had issued nities. a press statement disassociat- The right-wing is discreding themselves from state- ited among many rank and file sued their statement in a calcu- The detence of the council leadlated attempts to split Labour ership against witchunts nationin the run-up to the elections ally and locally is an important and wreck Labour's chances. task for the left after the Special Preston council is unusual, Conference and the council elecif not unique, in having a 'hard tions. left leadership composed of • The BNF is to stand in members of the Socialist Campaign Group Network. elections to the BlackWise was a member of the pool borough council. Greater London Council in the Lancashire was a centre mid-1980s, led by Ken Living- of Nazi activity in the stone, and was the Chair of its 1970s, but little had pioneering Women's Commit- been seen recently. Lotee. She is the daughter of the cal anti-fascists will be left MP for Preston, Audrey mobilising against the Wise, who is hated by the left wing locally for her enthusias- BNP. Two people are untic campaigning for Clause der police investigation Four and socialist policies. for allegations of assaultWhile many sections of the ing a BNP canvasser. party have moved to the right, The Labour Party will un-. doubtedly benefit from the massive anger and hatred directed at the Tories, although their unwillingness to offer serious alternative policies does nothing to help the fightback.
Also it is likely that some Tories will be saved as 'New Labour' and the Liberal Democrats cancel each other OIL It is important however that the left gets involved in these elections in order to stop the tide of Blairism in local government. Clearly there is little in the way of radical policies coming from the compulsory competitive tenUNISON