'IT'S war as Thatcher sneaks into Swansea.' That was the headline in the local press Saturday as the Prime Minister visited Swansea. She showed her contempt for the unemployed by visiting Swansea just days before the official announcement of the ending of all steel production in Wales.
Everywhere she went there were protests and demonstra tions. In the Norin or Wales her was SHOODCO pelted with eggs languase lemonstrators fighting for a Welsh language TV channel.
Her scheduled tour was disrupted as workers at the Hollyhead ferry terminal and several factories walked out on strike in protest at her presence.
In Swansea the Tory conference was launched on Friday. evening at a dinner • 2ended by local Labour Party leader Alan Lloyd. Outside THE International Marxist Group's summer school was a big success. This was the verdict of many comrades who attended for the full week to discuss and learn about socialist revolutions throughout Europe.
150 members and sympathisers participated, cluding comrades from the Swedish. Danish, Sri Lankan, Austrian, and Pakistani sections of the Fourth International. member American Young Socialist Alliance also atended did members of Democracy from Ireland.
Dave Bailey, who gave an account of the events leading up to Lic cal of the German revolution in 1919 was a popular speaker at the school. Joe, who came to the school on his own from Colchester, said he was really impressee Will this session and many other comthe hotel a vocal picket was mounted by the Right and Plaid wOrK Cymru.
On Saturday the largest protest ever seen in Swansea greeted the Tories. From 9am 1495IC gathered at a picket outside the Tory conference. Meanwhile the Labour Party 220 8 demonstration of 5000 inrougn une city.
Large delegations were from all the major the Llanwern Action Group and miners joined the protes! against the run down of dustry in Wales. The IMG and Revolution Youth also had contingents on the picket and the demonstration.
Many marchers were bitter at the lack of leadership from the lUC and LP. alle most demonstrators refused to march past the conference to the official rally, choosing instead to join the picket outside the conference called by the Right to Work Campaign.
Thatcher was forced lo use back entrances to the conference. 'Wales has prospered through change and WIL again, declared at the conference •Weish people must prepared to leave Wales to seek work' - athoush what work she didn't say!
The rank and file gave a clear message to their leaders at saturday s acto — we It ready to fight, are you willing to lead?