zay offence more important for some than others. The Campaign for Labour Party Democracy fringe meeting traditionally signposts the way for the left to vote during the week. This time, the platform without mentioning the witch hunt. It was left to the floor, including Audrey Wise MP, to demand that this was adeducation of straight dressed. However, for some i seemed allacking the left was more important. In direct contrast to his speech the night before, Ken Livingstone MP who the real enemies were - the Socialist Movement (SM). He painted a fantastical picture: Four years ago, the left was united around Labour Left Liaison. What spit it apart was divided between the idea that you could work with people outside the Labour Party Benn had left and could not reply - but then so had most of the when Clause 28 Sunday. however, also saw the SM in a rather different light - organising to support workers the lesbian dina say struggles. tee/Labour Party Socialists (LPS) meating, 'Unshackle the In a spirited speech, Dennis Skinner pledged his parliamen. tary vote against the Tory laws. Miners' leader Peter Heathfield exposed Thatcher for calling on Russian workers to take strike action wthout a ballot.
Other speakers reminded us that during the ambulance workers action, polls showed that even Tory voters supported secondary action.
Anna Wagstaff, a Pergamon striker, argued from experience on the need for international made a clear secondary action. She emphasised that the 'critical battle is in the unions themseives to oppose the laws'.
Monday saw the launch of the new left paper, socialist. Tony Benn said that the SM should provide la place for homeless socialists...especially after the next election'. The organisation needed a paper, he argued.
It would provide a framework for the left to exchange opinions. Also, in the run up to the election i wouid be a forum for those who support Labour 100 peopie went to better society and not a better managed status He rejected the pessimists who thought i had been launched at the wrong time: 'There is definitely a space for a paper like socialist. indeed, he argued, '2 wil not compete or damage other papers. it will help them. The more socialist iterature there is, the more they will all be read.
Tuesday saw the Militant readers fringe meeting, with Lesley Mahmood and Peter Taatle. No more than 60 were there. The meeting showed some of the problems faced by Militant. Mahmood defended standing in Walton, but went on to describe ts legacy in parts of the Liverpool left A positive aspect of the siluation was that the Broad Left was calling Independent Labour Party to keep Labour membership. she gued. However. this was on the that the Broad Left was 'not a separal party to the Labour Farty. We are the Labour Party. Jimmy Knapp: not too keen even on primary strike action Both Mahmood and Taaffe were, typically, resolutety optimistic. Said Taalle: This con ference is totally unrelated to the real mood in the country. That is why he said, Militant supporters would be looking away from Labour in the future (see box). Finally, Wednesday saw 100 at the Labour Party Socialists meeting The General Election and the Case For Socialism. Tony Benn strongly defended the role of LPS. As Steve French, speaking for the Campaign Against thi Witch-hunt, said First the left their should defend socialists' right to membership. That is crucial. but not enough I needs then to bring those people around the Socialists for Labour campaign, around demands which link those inside and outside the party. No. 9 Oct. 12, 1991 Page 3
by Jon Green and Sean of Brighton Labour