Committee has no "bold socialist proramme"; as if black people do not fac he specific oppressior police harassment and general racism including within the labour movement itself) and as if banalities tionalising the top 200 monopolies were an answer to this. THE miners' strike ran like a red thread through both conference and many fringe meetings, but with the rank and file left having very little chance to affect events Because of this, what must rate as one of the worst missed opportunities for the left during the strike happened on the last
Thursday) evening of conterence. Labou rieting brought oft a coup by managing to hold a public meeting with Scargill speaking on the NUM's response to writ served to him in the conference on the Tuesday afternoon.
Over 800 people turned up Scaraill repeat that the union would defy the courts, and Jimmy Knapp promise that if the NUM leadership were imprisoned, he would call his members out in support. But far from seizing this chance organise serious action in defence of the NUM, Briefing let it slide. A lengthy statement was read to the meeting by the organisers which, while General Strike in defence of the NUM in passing, in terms of immediate tasks talked
Detente Sommitte end get age
Defence Committee, gustrial action as wil ollow sut action against the NUM.
Any doubts about the willingness of Briefing to call for and organise industrial action using the massive turn-out at the meeting were clered up at the first meeting of the defence Committee the following lunch-time. Chris Knight, from the Briefing Editorial Board introduced meeting by saying that the purpose of it was to ensure the wide circulation of the resolution "sharing the contempt" of the NUM by declaring the strike official and to call a conterence at a future date of those supporting this
He said quite clearly that the organising of industrial action in support of the NUM "was up to the industrial wing of the movement", thus letting left union leaders like Knapp off the hook and accepting separation of the movement which always benefitted the right. A Socialist Viewpoint supporter spoke only to be told there was discuss a resolution on organising for strike action. While a sometime in December of those who support the miners is to be welcomed, it is no substitute for what could have been done. SOCIALIST Organiser had meeting on the Tuesday topic 'Strikers Speak Out. people turned up to discuss the way forward with what looked like an pressive pltform including ton, secretary of the Notts Rank and File Strike Committee and a speaker from Cammell Lairds (where Lol Duffy, an SO supporter had been jailed the day bełore). However, the speeches were incredibly low-key. Socialist Organiser had been calling for a General Strike since almost the beginning of the miners' strike, yet the raise this was a non-supporter in a contribution from the floor. speeches consisted of a series of anec. dotes about state violence of the kind to be heard at any meeting in support of the miners.
Whatever did happen to "General Strike", "Kick out the Tories" and "Fight for a Workers' Government"?
of the laws.
about nathe to hear to mentioning a such decision making.
the by a larger margin than in 1983.
had to complain delegation.
the has balance.
Warning ignore women at your peril against this, contribution
"not time" to concessions.
Conference miners weren't new they unionists;
a fringe contribution.
night on the
About 60 imof the last two years
Paul Whetbecause they
We must time aside set
Organisation"
only person to
Instead, the n policy making
Support ed tor the
THE 1984 annual Labour Party Conference saw the second major attempt to raise the status of women in the
Party, and give us direct access to similar!
'Our" resolutions
- based on the five major demands of the Women's Action Committee - were deteated; generally speaking,
Support came from new quarters.
At last year's Conference, a delegate from the rostrum about the verbal sexual harassment level being dealt out to women by the NUM
This year, an NUM delegate, John
Burrows (a member of the Derbyshire
Moore
NUM Executive) tried to redress the
Conference to his varned against that:
patronising women by granting token
Women have always been involved in struggle; the women who had come forward to support the to the game,
1985.
waiting to learn the rules from male made their own
As women launch the 1985 campaign around our demands, we must make sure we don't just plan a re-run efforts.
Not but were because ail campaigns must develop it they are to keep their momentum.
recognise that winning our demands will not end our problems in the Party. Apart from the
"Women's for the debate, there was hardly any mention of women in the whole conference. As well as our role within the Party structure, we have a long way to go in convincing the Party members to take women seriously
¡ John Burrows' contribution (an other miners are echoing that sentiment) showed how women's involvethey ment can move mountains in terms oi shifting male attitudes, what effect
Socialist Viewpoint, No. 2, November 1984. Page 23
By JENNY FISHER would that level of involvement have on the Labour Party leadership?
We could have a massive effect on the Labour Party over the next year. Women in Miners Support Groups are joining the Party already; some
Groups have formed Women's Sections on a village basis. There's no reason, if the Labour Party becomes deeply and actively involvin health or local government campaigns, campied to the Party to join the fight women can't be demands Women's Organisation. We don't have to wait till we win them. In fact, recuitment via campaigns is likely to be more successful, as it's more relevant than handing out leatlets proclaiming "Elect the NEC Women's Seats at Women's Conference" or something
Starting now, we can make a determined effort to include women's concerns in all policy formation at Constituency level. Constituencies can send resolutions to the National Executive Committee; so can Women's Regional Committees, and we have some sympathetic voices at national
Neil Kinnock said during Conference that he thought the women might go away by 1985; and Mandy had to assure him 1n the women's debate that we won't. Let's not just come back to 1985 Annual Conference with our Women's Organisation resolutions. We will do but let's also raise the consciousness in the whole Party on women's issues throughout the year, leading to women being mentioned all the policy areas debated in
We can only improve Party policy by doing this: and we'll also help to make it ciear why women want and need direct representation. Make women visible!
1984 Conference changed the rules on extra women delegates.
Now. any Constituency Party with 400 or more individual women members can send an extra woman delegate to Conference.
The entitlement for 1985 Conference will be based on membership figures at December 31, 1984.
Check your CLP's individual women's membership NOW; and rganise a recruitment drive 1 necessary/possible
New members' names will need to be forwarded to December ward and General Committee meetings at the latest; check the dates as may have been moved because of Xmas.