surveys! recently reveal that majority of people in this country either want to keep Abortion Act or want a more liberal law. John Corrie, with the tacit backing of a large chunk of this Tory government, prefers to ignore this, and insists imposing his own personal views on the millions of women who live in this country.
It's hard lo believe that he can really get away with it. Unfortunately there's a good chance he can.
Who do we blame for this?
Firstly, blame. this government which has: made pussage of Corrie's Bill exceptionally easy. Norman prominent anti-abortionist "leader of the House', has used his position to speed up its passage. The government may not have packed the Bill, but it will go through i if it does - on the strength of the Tory majority in the Commons.
That's why everyone who opposes the Corrie Bill should be demanding an end to this Tory government. Labour The second reason why the Bill is likely to get through is down to the Labour Party. It should be obvlous that all those who defend the interests of the working class should defend and fight for a 'woman's right to choose But the Labour Party still insists it is a matter of 'conscience'.
There will be no Labour whip to ensure that every Labour MP votes against the Corrie Bill. A number of Labour MPs will vote for it.
Even by standards of British social they shonk be ashamed themselves.
The fact that the Labour Party insists it is a matter of consclence has allowed the Communist press for a very wishy-washy line on Although the party itself supports a woman's right to choose, it encourages campaigns to act simply on the basis of defence of the '67 Act.
to the arguments, particularly in the trade unions, Clearer If the Communist fought for a clearer abortion among its supporters in the trade union movement we could have huge CHLOLL engineers and building workers the lobby on 5 February. Then we'd have seen if the Tories dared to press ahead with the Bill!
For most of us, and especially those whose memories stretch back before the likely passage of the Corrie Bill is Britain:
Abroad:
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I enclose a donation for the Fighting Fund of Cheques. POs and Money Orders should be made payable to Socialist Challenge frightening.
Corrie may not achieve 'conscience' getting abortion platform, Party had It DUSILION on not an issue for the unions.
not an issue for socialists. on would have pressure on the labour puts us in a very scarcely have to look to the future. '67 Act, the contain clear SUBSCRIBE NOW 12 months £12.50; 6 months £ 6.50 12 months - Surface Mail £12.50 - Airmail £18.00 Multi-reader institutions: Double the above rate" Complete and resurn to Socialist Challenge, 328 Upper Street, London N1.
Registered with tod Post Office as a newspaper. Published by Relgocrest Ltd. for Socialist Challenge, hard to believe. It is demoralising and But now is not the time to be demoralised. The campaign against what it set out to do, but it has achieved many the things. The TUC demonstration last October was an historic step towards adopted as an essential part of any cless struggle trade Increasingly difficult for Every trade union leaders to say that it is It is unheard of for anyone to claim it is The strength of the campaign that has been built against Corrie, and the movement, this good position to take the struggle forward. Now we The next Labour manifesto has to commitment to positive legislation on abortion, and an end to • the "conscience' The strength of campaign against Corrie puts us in a strong position to apply pressure to If Corrie's BIll becomes lew it will be a setback — but only a temporary one.
Our sights must now be set on the union conference on positive legislation called for next Autumn.
union. must be represented there to discuss how to win positive legislation, and to ensure Labour Party is not let off the hook.
Let's make 5 and 8 February the biggest possible show of the strength of feeling of the working people of country. turn-out, particularly from those unions with a clear policy on abortion, can still turn the tide. But if that doesn't stop the Corrie Bill, we won't let the Corrie Bill stop us. vote the that the our total so far is already poised at the £800 mark. Let's make it £1000 by the end of the month.
Ann Shirley M Korn A Southall Paddington IMG ] Hammond Hammersmith IMG Reading IMG UCATT member R Johnson Swindon IMG Anon Total this week Cumulative total Correction: £5 credited to F Revell in issue 131 IMG Wolves IMG.
AN ITEM in Standard of 25 January alleged that With three weeks of January gone Socialist Challenge and its editor