THE LABOUR Party Conference gives delegates a chance to show - to the working class, particularly the low paid, sick, elderly, jobless youth and the oppressed in our society - that Labour is going to tackle the alternative.
This is not easy.
At this Conference Tony Blair is building on his victories against the left over Clause 4. He is moving to further embrace a Tory consensus that has been established over the last decade by Margaret Thatcher Populist stunts like a windfall tax on the utilities are no alternative to re-nationalisation.
Worse of all is his shocking proposal, made just a few days before the Conference, to means-est child benefit -thus ending universal child allowances.
This shows not only his contempt for the poor (and for the left of course), but also indicates who he is relying on to win the next election. It is certainly not the ever growing millions of down-trodden and oppressed people.
UNISON Blair's right turn has two the bosses that he is their man - a reliable servant; and second, he aims to win sections of the professional ana middle classus who have traditionally been hostile to working class interests.
Part ane parcel of tus strategy is his unconditional acceptance of Tory market eventually sever the historic links of the Labour Party with the trade unions. CD CAVE CUR TOBS CUTS 10,000 on September 30 FACE demo: socialists must take up the broader issues The core of Blair's plan is therefore to transform the Labour Party into a social democratic party of the centre, or even a liberal democratic party like the US "New Labour", as Paddy Ashdown clearly understands, is not just a catchy slogan. A continuing witchunt against the let is an inevitable consequence of this policy, as the axing of Liz Davies selection as parliamentary TH the pay Mate James Blair wanted Conference to be little more than a pre-election rally which provides the media with choice soundbites, slick suited images, and some well publicised bloody noses for the left.
The Labour left, organisied in the Socialist Campaign Group Network and in other bodies, is challenging this offensive: attempting to recoup ground lost over Clause four by fighting on policy Issues.
In particular the Labour left has focused on a commitment to a £4.15 hourly minimum wage. against the leadership's concessions on grant-maintained schools and Its willingness to see the development of a multi-tiered education system.
The left is also backing resolutions designed to stop the erosion of the trade union link. This link in particular lies at the centre of Blair's aim to break the party from its roots Socialist Outlook is part of this fight against Blair. We put particular stress on the centrality of rebuilding the mass movement, in particular the trade union movement, which will be decisive in stopping the Blair bandwaggon.
Every socialist needs to take up the broader issues facing the working class and promote not only current trade union struggles, but also build support for campaigns such as Fight Against Cuts in Education (FACE). campaigning fighting NHS cuts and the network of campaigns fighting racist detention and deportation laws.
in this way the working class can find the way forward in the fight against the Tories today, and soon against a right wing Labour Government.