A NEW probe has revealed clear evidence of life on what had been thought to be a barren and desolate landscape.
Many had argued that the poisonous atmosphere would make it impossible for even the most basic molecular life-forms to survive on the surface or in the deeper structures of what used to be known as the "red party".
Especially after the catastrophic eruptions of the last few years - which swept away many of the old landmarks and sheltering spaces - and the massive landslides, culminating on May 1, most observers had given up hope of finding any signs of life or activity.
But they were wrong.
Despite the efforts of the Millbank Mafia to tighten their centralising grip on the Labour Party and crush any form of dissent as they cut the remaining links with the trade unions and the working class and float off as a US-style Democratic Party, stubborn activists are refusing to concede defeat.
The first signs of rebellion have come from the trade unions, where a succession of conferences and policymaking committees during the summer have been voting with surprising strength to reject the controversial "Party into Power" document, through which Tony Blair's team seeks to neutralise the party's rank and file and quash the remaining powers of Labour conference.
But a much greater surprise to the Millbankers must have been the massive revolt against "Party into Power" by the section of the Party which Blair's New Labour offensive seemed to have totally invaded and subdued - the Constituency parties, which have given the scheme a massive thumbs down, and reflected this in resolutions to this refuses to repeal. Public sector union UNISON has reaffirmed its opposition to the private financing of hospitals, even as Labour unveils its first list of NHS schemes to receive private funding. There will be fresh opportunities for the emerging resistance to focus on key policies. The TUC will have to decide whether to learn from the BA fight and press on for the scrapping of the Tory anti-union laws. Labour Conference can link up the various sections of activists opposed to Blair's project to neuter the party. By the winter, as NHS cuts begin to hit the headlines, councils start to draw up cuts in services for next year, and more teachers face redundancy, the early hints of life can flourish into a genuine fight for alternative, left wing and socialist policies. That's why Millbank is so keen to stamp out all signs of dissent. The freakish 'honeymoon' period, with Blair and Labour riding high in the polls, will come to an end as the reality of Gordon Brown's tight-fisted budget comes home to haunt those who work in or depend upon public services.
And that's why the left - in the unions and in the Labour Party -must rally to defend the rights of those brave enough to take a stand, and prepare the policies and campaigns that meet the needs and demands of working people. * Budget comment, page 3