THE STRUGGLE over Clause Four has been one of the most important political fights in the labour movement for years. The outcome on April 29 will set the parameters for the next stage of the fight.
Either Blair can be pushed back and a blow struck for socialism: or the scene will be set for further attacks by Blair is already saying that breaking the trade union link is his next target.
It has been a hard fought battle. Any difficulties involved in the debate have not been because of any inherent strength in the politics of Tony Blair, or any weakness in the campaign to defend the clause.
From a political point of view the campaign has struck a resonant chord from the outset. Collective ownership has rarely been as popular in the general public in Britain as it is at the present time.
Paradoxically it has been the degree of hatred of the Tories within the labour movement and way beyond which has created the biggest obstacles. Blair has presented it as a vote of confidence. Many LP members think that if they oppose the revision they will strengthen the Tories.
This view is profoundly mistaken.
The way to boost the Tories is to support Blair and get rid of Clause 4. But it has been hard to win this. argument after 16 years of Tory rule and the social consequences involved, and with an undemocratic campaign with the whole of the media and the apparatus of the party strongly Camden Irish Centre, Camden Square (Camden Town tube Speakers include Arthur Scargill
SOCIALIST OUTLOOK No. 82, April 29 1995, Page 2