The last Labour government, for example, not only failed to repeal the racist 1971 Act, but actually launched its own attacks on Black people. Merlyn Rees introduced new curbs to the Act and a Green Paper on Nationality was drafted on which the Tories have modelled their present proposals.
Such pandering to racist views by the Labour leaders is not new. It has led them, over the years, to try and out-compete the Tories in introducing anti-Black legislation. Callaghan's comment in 1968 that CARL he had done "more to keep Blacks out than anything by Enoch Powell" sums up the infamous reIt is a record that has to be The limited support that has begun to develop in the Labour Party and unions for Black rights has to be extended in the months If the labour movement cannot mobilise to defend the most oppressed layers of working people, it will not be able to defend any working people against the Tory attacks on living standards and Moreover, it will lead to serious divisions being created in the movement which the Tories will play upon, in the years ahead, in order to ram home their anti-labour offensive.
On January 10, the Campaign Against Racist Laws (CARL) will be mapping out plans for a mass campaign against the Tory proposals. It already has the backing of most Black organisations and a number of anti-racist groups.
What is central in the period ahead, however, is that the Labour Party and unions seriously move behind that campaign and give it mass support. If passed, the Nationality Act will be a set-back not only for Black people but for all workers in Britain.
A fighting alliance of the Black community and labour movement - mobilised on the streets - could stop it. It could deal a real defeat to the Tories and weaken their ability to attack any of our rights.
While there have been no big demonstrations in Managua while I have been there, there are always political meetings of one kind or another.
There are meetings on trade union unity, women's meetings, meetings with doctors and journalists on their role in the revolution.
Many meetings have an international flavour - the most popular themes being solidarity with the dedeveloping revolution in neighbouring El Salvador, and with the Chilean people under the boot of the ruthless dictator, Pinochet. Frankly, Intercontinental Press canes ar more arces. documents and special features than Socialist Action has room for.
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