I was disappointed to see that Socialist Outlook was prepared to drop into the style of reactionary tabloid journalism in discussing Jerry Hayes ("One wheel on his , January issue).
The 'article reported, without comment, that the Tories refused to support Mr Hayes, "who denied that his relatonship with the then 18 year old was anything other than platonic"
Surely socialists should be supportive of anyone's right, even that of a Tory MP. to have a gay relation• ship? The fact that the article did not make any comment on the treatment of Hayes by the media made the article resemble the same reactionary gossip of the Tory press that it was reporting.
The same piece then commented on Haves' support for gay rights as if this was extra cause for specu.
Socialist Outlook correctly supconsent, while realising that this is only a small step in the struggle to eliminate the oppression of gay sexuality that is institu. tionalised under capitalism.
Jerry Hayes' support for this campaign was therefore to be welcomed, despite the incongruity with the rest of his poll. te when is a snare oy many policicians, including Chris 'no more money for the health service' Smith.
The people who witchhune Hayes are the same bigots who fought the attempes for an equal age of consent. They should be condemned by socialists and the arti. cle on Hayes missed an important opportunity to do so.
Ricky Paul, West London EDITOR RESPONDS: it was certainly not our intention to imply that Hayes position on gay rigths made him 'suspect", but rather to applaud it. In fact, it is what made it harder for recationaries to attack him.