A recent issue of Socialist Challenge contains an article appraising the national conference of the LSA in late spring. ine arce correct ly points out that the LSA affirms its full solidarity with the Fourth International.
It goes on, however, to call the LSA's refusal to immediately fuse with the IMG - after a year's discussion between the two organisations - "irresponsible' and to imply that the LSA is building a 'dead-end bureaucratic sect'.
SECT?
But for socialists, the word 'sect' has a scientific meaning. It refers to an organisation whose programme and perspective cut it off from the broad labour movement. In this sense, the left in Britain is indeed littered with 'sects' (many of whom the IMG has sought to fuse with).
It would be difficult to apply this term to the LSA, however, since it has- ever since its inception- always fought against the sectarian attitudes among the 'far left', particularly when it comes to an attitude to the Labour Party. 'Deadend' and 'bureaucratic'- the other epithets used- are, presumably mere slips of the pen.
CONVERGING The IMG is correct, however, in pointing out that the LSA-after a year's negotiations- did decide to slow down any fusion perspective with the IMG. This was not a whim. It was based on a re-appraisal of political questions.
When the LSA approached the IMG for discussions over a year ago, it was on the basis that the general perspectives of the two organisations seemed to be converging. Despite the odd difference in tactics, it was widely felt that fusion was a pratical possibility.
This is not to say that the LSA did not have differences— particularly over the Socialist Unity issuebut that it felt the dynamic of both organisations was moving together.
THRUST The decision of the IMG at its last conference, however, to orient tospective- regardless of the SWP's hostility to the FI both politically and organisationally- led the LSA to reconsider the position.
It was felt that the IMG's orientation to the SWPand deepening of the Socialist Unity campaign- was dangerous for * First, it could cut the IMG off from the broader labour movement where major possibilities exist; * Second, it could lead to the IMG accomodating to the SWP's sectarian views and practice in its attempt to make fusion a viable possibility.
PRECEDENTS Such considerations were not viewed as unimportant since, in the LSA's opinion, the IMG had earlier made considerable adaptation to sectarian forces during the Socialist Unity offensive.
of joint candidates against the Labour Party was a case in point.
From this perspective, it was generally felt that the IMG's orientation to the SWP- which is hostile to the Labour Party- is incompatible with a serious orientation to the labour movement.
POSTPONE It was for these reasons that the LSA, while maintaining full solidarity with the FI, decided to slow down the fusion between the two groupings, in order to test out the two different lines in practice.
period of time would allow both organisations to see whether they were moving together or, as the LSA suspects, apart, on the vital question of orientation to the laDOur HOYCLICIl.
Naturally, within this framework, the LSA wishes to maintain the most comradely relations with the IMG, to continue discussions and engage in as much joint work as possible.
A more detailed view on the question of 'unity of the left' is given in LSA pamphlet Splits & Fusions- Methods of building a Revolutionary Party, price 20p from 58 Auckland Road, London SE 19 a continuation Its running The Thatcher government is • deadly serious about its economic strategy. In order to solve the problems of big business, the rights of working people have to be savagely eroded. Doubly hit by these attacks will be women.
Hospital and nursery closures * Attacks on abortion rights - as under the Corrie Bill they do not want; * Cuts in social services will hit jobs cleaners and cooks - hardest.
' by Carol Kees (National Steer. Cttee) OFFICIAL STRIKE PERCENT TO A WORKERS IN CUTS - NUS