sive because they dealt with issues on which there was no basic unifying agreement.
The WSN Steering Committee, too, dwindled both in size and in regularity of meetings, with ever fewer nonAWL delegates attending. By November, the Steering Committee in. This meant that the decision taken in December by Socialist Outlook to respond positively to the proposed changes, and to inject additional funds and human and political resources to the WSN and Action for Health & Welfare, could not be reported to the WSN. newspaper: "We hope that you continue to our and Action. We have over the years developed a broad layer of contributors and readers... You will see that the first issue of 1999 is redesigned, there will be a number of new columns, 4 extra pages and the paper is now called Action for Solidarity. We believe that this best sums up the most fundamental principle of working class organisation..." the demise of what could have been a promising initiative: "It didn't have to be like this. This is a pointless and a-politicalmanoeuvre "Unfortunately it shows that the AWL comrades still prefer to strut around as phony advocates of "solidarity" and "unity" - and spend their time denouncing or belittling their rivals on the left -than to work constructively or consistently for principled left unity."
Mechanics Institute, Princess Street, Manchester A conference open to campaigners across all issues - workplace, immigration, deportations, low pay, PFI - as well as socialist, green and trades union organisations. CAMPAIGNS 99 Conference is a contribution to the growing opposition to free market ideology and to the demands placed on people by global capitalism. Workshops have been arranged under the broad headings: Workplace, Welfare State, Environment, Transport, Refugees, Anti-deportations, Civil Liberties and International.
Registration: £5 organisations
£1 unfunded campaigns Sponsors: Kent, Coventry and Liverpool Socialist Alliances, Scottish Socialist Party, Socialist Outlook, Leeds Independent Labour Network, Merseyside Port shop stewards committee, TGWU 6/399 branch, Workers Aid for Bosnia. Terry Conway THE DEVELOPMENT of Socialist Alliances is something that Socialist Outlook supporters have welcomed. - as our participation has demonstrated. Within the Alliances we along with many others have argued that it is important that these Alliances, together with other comparable bodies like the ILN need to promoting active campaigning and organising solidarity with struggies. We do not underestimate the difficulty of doing this - particularly in a period like the current one where activity, particularly that with a national resonance has been patchy to say the least. There is no dispute at present which carries the authority and weight of the miners or the dockers strikes, around which people are coming together spontaneously up and down the country. Struggles are going on of course. At an industrial level there are bitter - and often long standing disputes - at Tameside, Critchley, Hillingdon and Sky Chefs. There are local fights in defence of the welfare state - over health and education, particularly - and Hillingdon strike: over jobs and NHS against privatisation. Local battles against deportations and immigration detentions continue, and the Lawrence inquiry and the surrounding publicity has given a new spur to those organising for justice in the wake of racist murders - whether caused by the police and compounded by their indifference. Lesbian and gay activists celeTo North West Cannock brate what looks like being set to be a final victory over the age of consent and continue to organise against Section 28 and for rights at work. Ecological campaigners continue to protest at the destruction of the environment through the relentless search for profit. But most of these, and many other campaigning targets to numerous to mention remain isolated from each other. This has its own dynamic just because lack of information prevents more people getting involved - though that is a real draw back. More importantly our isolation makes us less confident of the possibility of success - and that is the biggest barrier to much greater numbers becoming active.
There is no doubt that many many of those who voted Labour at the last General Election did so hoping that a new government would lead to a let up in the relentless attacks they had endured under the long years of Tory rule.
Unfortunately on many questions New Labour has continued and even deepened Tory policy which has served to further disheartened many whose organisations had been battered by Thatcher.
Campaigns 99 cannot on its own solve this problem, but it can begin to turn the tide.
That is why it is vital that it is attended by as many activists as possible - but also why it is even more important that all of us make sure we bring with us those involved in the struggles which are going on.
Lichfield
Opening Speaker: Dave Nellist, Socialist Councillor in Coventry.