HOr ference on electing the party leader takes place on 24 January.
would be the most democratic way of deciding the party my view the most practicat democratk method of electing the party cader would be for the par. Ofter all, conference is sue. "NCPCR posed to decide so why can't it els he leader as well? But this mctaoa is mol Ding put before conference.
So what's the best op ion to advance the left's fight for democracy?
The way the conference are numerous possible variants, so it's impossible to say that maie s one best opuon. sfl t if we ignore the 'one person vote right wing, there are three main sorts of proposals to CULLCLCICC forward a majority ih any electoral college The second type of op tion: • wouia givewtne trade Alas ene nercon imipn. ics together a larger share of the votes than the Labour MPs, but would not give the He poteo blasl-LEit Culbutucil y option gives arouns and so pee cent to the o the constituencies and the MPs Obviously I'm opposed to the first variant because it would still give the ay to the MPs.
the second Vallellt asou. because it gives equal weight to the constituencies and the In my view any eleccoral college must reflect the • OSIYC suengun or tne ladour movement - its industrial wing So of the basic options, the (also sponsored by 'Tribune') Friday 23 January 7.30pm (Doors open 7pm) Central Hall, Westminster Tickets 50p Race.
alist Challenge 8 January 1981 conference on the election leader takes place on 24 January. Since last the method should be changed, party have stiffened their resistance, determined to roll back the left's advance Party vote Eric Haffer and Tony Benn out of the shadow cabinet, but from Roy Mason, the 'Gang of Three', and other right wingors there have been not very subtle hints at the possibility of a right-wing split from the party if the left's advance continues.
should not be lulled by Michael Foot's elec tion as party leader into letting up in-the fight for democracy. talked to Dulwich Turner about the prospects for the conference. '40-30-30" position is the best.
CERO SOO REG TEASCA forward by the night wing - one person, one vote vould offer every Labour Party od. Why are the left opposed to this proposal?
You have to look below tae surface to really involved. Demon aet questior abstract FOrTs. o ren content. I see the following objections to this proposal.
First, who is putting this proposa:
Hal Wi tucovewnt are opposed to any change.
That should suspicious to begin with Second, there are many practicd WOJel be rooiel very tongwinded and system. But the importan ble abuses of such a system. the right wing of the Socialist Challenge Labour councillor Carol "American' mary-style People could join thé. abour bour parie чецію егет -Labour members, not to be active bur lesa to voie on who was people hostile to the basic aims of could get involived in such.
Socratien. VOTCOvCEy . 31e person, vote? syster has problems akin to hose of the secret ballot in Instead of the lecision being aculvc; ship, it will be made by a momee meniser -broader active membershi They will be open to all che pressures of the medi wt ve seet i in some union which have the press moting didates, The fight for democracy in the Labour Party is fundamentally a fight about accountabilit But the leadership only be made accountable to aicipates in the life of pare #cuc ole wilich: palmovement.
Should Tony Benn challenge Michael • FOOI TOT te ecoersns •T TAe party when the electoral Definitely. Michaet Foo Is leader because ot the shiti vo.tne lelt in lne party, bul he doesn't represent the left look how retreating on unilateral nuclear disarHallICH ToE cxasre TOOI eecec t "enter betause right-wing and 'centre' MPs decided he oiwas the best bet for heading off Benn ai the needs to LIIC :FiiL o1 • Ils a Dulcics. fighting for a leader who really represents the gains of last year 'party cauciccc • Tony Benn.
-ome left oppose e a syet un fo gives Vhat's youi view of the block vote?
The huge strength of the is a basic fact of life left will ignore at its peril. I'll give you an exam pie trom my own experience ini Ciche Here ob a right wing couple and ne er 42м1e have organised to get local unions delegates to the soricial management-com mittee of the constituency par Many of these have turned out EEPTU of whict : wingers Bob Eadie is an official. A:
fesult unt voltea: com. Diexion of the GMC is mov. ing to the right. The left has to organise its forces in the unions, the right always their strength herlts no good trvinz.-to Dreak tae links between the Labour Party and the unions; you've gọt to fight the right wing in the unions 1HCIC: anoster brose the left faces here. Some o our left-wing activists are in collar : 010RE . Va aren't even affiliated to the Laoour party, so they can t send delegates to the general committees: Creen rie unions links he vacour Party . UIIO.
tllik ton teen . CHOIHO positively fight in NALGO and in the NUT for affilia. • 01 1 e | Party Democracy and the left can only gain.
What do you thin! will be •VuLCUd "ot the conference?
It odicoml o se the exact continue to KCC!
Hic :cosuc10 Wake suk . Lilal úné oe o e nar contereice cecision is cat ried out - and that means taking the decisiv. soul sa -or the leadershi f the hands of the MPs
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that out forward example Aull, wour gie the ihs
Rank and File Mobilising Committee Rally
Speakers: Tony Benn, Eric Heffer, Arthur Scargill, lan Mikardo, Reg
of the party October's Labour conference decided that of electing the party leader
Not onhe did the Parlismentary Labout In this situation it is vital that the left
Benn should definitely challenge Foot for the Labour leadership, says Dulwich councillor Carol Turner