In Socialism Today, the monthly journal of Militant Labour, Peter Taaffe writes that Tony Blair's triumph at this year's Labour Conference and the scale of the defeat for the left represent a 'defining moment'. According to Taaffe, there has been a historic realignment of British politics, with the transformation of the Labour Party into New 'One Nation' Labour. Here DAVE PACKER argues that the left has suffered serious watershed defeats, but that this cannot be equated with a change in the class character of the Labour Party itself. Had such a change occurred, it would represent an historic defeat for the working class.
ANALYSIS PETER TAFFE writes: "Socialism Today and its predecessor Militant International Review, have argued that the Labour Party under Blair was in the process of being transformed from a workers' organisation at bottom with a pro-capitalist leadership, into a wholly liberal' capitalist party.
'Brighton "95 confirmed this. The majority of capitalist itly or explicitly, accept it.
"The only issue under dis. pute is whether the process Labour Party has now exhausted any historical role as a vehicle for socialists and workers in the struggle against capitalism. or if it is still possible to halt the Blair juggernaut." (pp9-10)
He continues: "The decisions of the conference hold little encouragement for those on the left who. hoping against hope, believe that the Labour Party can be rescued."
The whole weight of Taffe's argument is that the transformation has been more versible. Later in the same text, he writes that Militant Labour has been right about "the processes which have led to a fundamental change in Party." (p12)
Now party Taaffe draws the conclusion: Militant Labour, with others, should take the opportunity and build a new party His argument is based not simply on the recent defeats rightward shift of party policy. but also on Blair's successful structural and social changes to the Party:
"Left candidates are blocked and Howarth, one of the Tory authors of the Poll lax. is welcomico on boare ... Thousands of socialist stal. warts have already gone (since the Clause Four de. feat). ... Workers drop out and are replaced by a Blair "levy of politically raw types. many middle class..
Even more significant, accarding to Taffe is that Labour's key defining feature How many Labour Party activists would split to join Millant's 'Real Labour Party? has been overtumed. it is exi longer a federation of differ. ent trends and ideological curwhich allowed the TOTTEN freedom of Marxists and others to put forward their locas and have such a decisive influence at different stages in history:"
Given these fundamental changes in the character of the party. Taaffe insists that "A left transformation is now the most unlikely perspective for te Labour Pasty meals tre Of course this breaks from their previous analysis, held for more than forty years.
The article rightly emphasises the significance of the new rule changes and changes in social composition, but wrongly argues that these features define the class character of the Labour Party.
Crucially, the most important federal element, trade union affiliation, remains intact.
Militant used to underwishes to sever the historic link with the trade unions and transform the Labour Party into a European-style social democratic-type party: but a deal was struck at conference guaranteeing (for the moment!) no further reduction in the unions' 50 percent share Unbroken link Blair achieved his victory because he was able to forge a new alliance with the trade union bureaucracy, although mostly on his terms. The trade union link has not been broken, and there is everything to The great mass of the working class still see Labour as their party and will turn out to vote for it at the next election in order to get rid of the ones For Militant Labour to stand against the Labour Party will be seen as a diversion by the masses. Even the broad vanguagi, who have few illusions in Blair, will see standing candidates against Labour as sheer folly.
Taaffe's analysis, crucial to his argument for building a new socialist party in tac mice dium term. is unconvincing: he claims that the class character of the Labour Party has already changed.
He argues that a right wing Labour goverment, intent on tification rests on an analysis prepared for splits towards the - a cale one de c lelt.
Will the leftward-moving left wing - which suggests the sectors of the bureaucracy least favourable conditions move quickly to split the Laever for creating a class strug- bour Party and affiliate to gle organisation. Militant Labour? Or will they Despite Taaffe's pessi. be forced to place themselves mism, Blair has not yet sucregain control of the Party and its leadership? union leaders, the pressure of At first, at least, the latter the masses will be felt directly scenano Scems the most proo able. Depending on the charby a Labour coveranche of the new leit Ruptures leadership thrown up in this situation, the fight for the soul At first the union bureaucrats will try to hold down the or the Laboar Party would De on. Under these conditions it lid, exploiting the initial mood would be a sectarian diversion of 'give them a chance": but a struggle will at some point to campaign for the disaffiliNation of the trade unions. The task would be to join that will probably appear within fight. the bureaucracy. Whatever scenario unfolds How do we know? because in three or four years time, the task of the left soday is to fight bour governments have run into conflict with the rank and for a Labour government, but to continue the struggle file of the unions.
against the Tories.
If we face this situation again in three or four years If it is to play a role in the unfolding process of Latime. Taffe's analysis of the bour's realignment, and deLabour Party would naturally fend the trade union link, the lead him to fight for the unleft in the Labour Party must ions to disaffiliate. He writes break from its narrow parlia that once Blair refuses to satmentarist perspective and reIsty working class ocmanus. build itself out of the coming ordinary trade unionists will struggles. decide to cut away:
"The cry could go up for battles in the trade unions, and unions to disaffiliate from the party, as happened with the fighting for the Labour Party to take up the struggles of the New Zealand Labour Party in oppressed and the youth. the 1980s. The ground will be