But planning agreements hit fundamentals the em. Iney challenge lagement's control of the moveit of capital and, by destroying iness secrecy, they allow workers ain vital information. This is why establishment opposed these types agreements, and why the Labour inet, understanding this perfectly, In the final analysis, elopment depends on productive estment. Even the NEB, with all powers of the '74 manifesto, never llenged the control ployers over investment funds. But employers only invest when y are confident of eventually turna profit. The original NEB proals accepted this basis, so when the ht-wing leaders argued that it was essary to maintain the confidence the bosses, the Labour lefts had no swer. They supported the overall nomic framework of the right 1g. ooperation Tony Benn supported mework and ended up motivating e final, powerless NEB. The same e awalls the AES as well. ategies share the same thods - cooperation with the rul3 class to restore industry. The strength of the labour moveent nas to be moosed to connor d defeat the employers. ound the table and attempting Joint anning arrangements is simply utoan. The employers, the civil service. eir privileges to the bitter end. entire establishment will defend ok of socialists is to pursue policies at will bring that end a lot nearer. son, chair of the CBI at profit Denis Healey this Both Sitting Wilson and Callaghan plotting the survival of private industry while ignoring Labour's economic policy - the Chancellor's bag contained no mention of planning agreements THE reason for the threatened split in the Labour Party is meant to be the democratic internal reforms adopted by the last party conference.
The media is one of the noble and sensible Gang of Three making their stand against the tyranny of the left in defence of the rights of the individual and the supremacy of Parliament.
"The threat Tebesculave cHurialy Shirley Williams called it last November, she explained why she would not be a Labour candidate in the next election. Crisis The right wing is indeed aoul the growth of accountability in the barty But coincidence that the divisions in the Labour Party at any time since the 1930s, or that now, as then, there is an economic depression, the magnitude of which has placed question mark against the entire capitalist system.
The left in the party recognise the importance of trying to chart a way out crisis and have responded with the Alternative Economic Strategy fate Canner prescription for ending the economic crisis? Mixed It was most recently set out, Williams Owen or Rodgers nor Roy Jenkins but by Liberal leader David Stee who recently revealed his "Ten Point Plan for Economic Recovery' But what is remarkable is just how similar - and how irrelevant are Steel's prescriptions and those put forward by th Gang of Three David Steel's first point is entitled 'a positive strategy aim of which is 'to make the public sector more effi cient and the private secto more profitable . In other words 'the mixed economy and the need to manage it picture presented by most of the efficiently' phrase from the famous Gang of Three 'letter', published in the Guardian and the Daily Mirror last August That letter and 'commitment to the mixed economy called for 'an expanded National Enterprise Board' through which 'finance should be avallable on easv terms to firms starting up, especially those developing new technologies.
David Steel on the other hand - or raller'ut same hand • calls for 'a National Enterprise Board paying particular attention to new areas of technology'. Partners Steel's second point is for "industrial partnership and co-operation This 'rejects the warfare between two opposing sides and calls for 'a new identiTv otterest Delwecu dust participants in inSteel, the means to this goal is to 'involve all employees in deci sions which affect their the establishment representative bodies in each company.
The Gang say, 'there must be effec tive Contano. good communication nuine democracy at work and Artificial divisions betmanager and worker, blue collar and white collar are... destructive.
also favour policy based on regular discussion', while.
the third oint of Steel's plan is long-term incomes policy'.
Steel's next is a plea for the 'extension Socialist Challenge of the small business sector' disappoin tingly the Gang of Three letter doesn't specifically make this call, but fear in the TOL an article Daily Telegraph else?) in June 1978 Shirles Williams said the small businessman has vital oe to bay their letter the famous three complained 'dear mone ana over-valued pound' which suggests they should be happy with the fifth and sixth points of the Steel plan which call for 'lower interest rates and 'reduction in the exchange rate of the pound' The unanimity is by now becoming repetitive and boring. So let's brietly through Steel's remaining points. EEC Number seven says, 'North Sea oil surpluses should be routed capital thus providing The Gang of Three say, royalties should be earmarked for the purpose of modernising dustry training young people Steel's eighth point demands a 'massive energy conservation programme 'measures energy Steel's ninth point deals with an 'exten sion of youth training'; the Gang want more govern ment finance in support of technologies and our young people Steel's final point is for cooperation' involving a belief that should work closely our European par ners'. It was the possibilit of the next Labour govern withdrawing the EEC which promptec Shirley Williams to make her public statement last Would stand tor Labshe November at the next election Her speech also includ ed an important observa tion: The Liberals aren't a serious alternative.' You said it, Shirley, you said • 29 January 1981
= 21 Feb-National Sales Day SC Sales for more info ring Co BATH: SC on sale at 1985 Books, 1pm outside, om 20298 Foi more in Fo p4.30-5 Fourth Idea Bookshop, si outd: Open Market, Lover BRISTOL: Somale it. Hole in More Cheeriam fed, Moniper Brisol BURNLEY:
CHESTERFIELD SC S Marketplace, sall COVENTRY: ailable from Br skshop.
outside Boot У 11.30-2pm Also available Better ASCOW: SC sales every i nur/.
Be at Barretts, Byres Rd; Clyde Street Book Centre.
Outside Count IN: SU outside Safeway available Streatham on sale • of Hope bookshos Sat at OLDHA porters nct and at Metro town cen he central refer Peter's Square and at Grassroots Wur Fri at Poly Studenis Usion Students Inis sales column What's Left RATES for What's Left. 5p pe vord or E4 per col. inch. Deadlin noon Sat prior to publication cism! Fight Imperialism!
No. 8: the Irish War gig. Tues 3 Feb.
and Liverpool Rd, 8pm CHARTER BI alist Pratanme fo at 31 Jan at North Londo N7. 10.30-4.30pm. Cr the nation lento trusted Sponsors O'Hara Executive Wondon WIN XX. OC. 743950 SC Events COVENTRY: Socialist mains.
ee students Marxist Group notices SOCIALIST Challenge is new regular readers. And our National Sales Day on 21 February is our best opportunity yet to find them!
On 21 February tens of thousands working people will march against unemployment Glasgow the Labour Party demonstration.
Impact Every Socialist Challenge supporter at the demonstration will organised in a sales team. That way we aim to make the maximum impact with Socialist Challenge paper that fights for Jobs not Bombs.
Mick Archer from Birmingham told Socialist Challenge porters were organised to sell the transport to last October's massive CND 'Teams of organised for every coach and train going down to in the demo. Activities 'Special subscriptions leaflets were and names and addresses collected be wanting to be kept informLed of local activities.' Why don't supporters in other areas follow the ingham example for the 21 February demo?
how supon the demo. sellers were distributed, people the BirmSend day.
For those not able to make it up to Glasgow there's still work be done on the National Sales Day in your area. We want local supporters to choose a shopping centre, a housing estate, a factory sale or even a pub run for intensive selling the day.
details of your plans for local sales on the Leaflet In the next weeks we will have a new subscription leaflet available for distribution on the sales day. Note that date - 21 February!
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Incomes O favOur an incomes
collect, tigh Hope
17 Clyde Viewor Joto at 54 Eliot St, m. The Plaza sCalsravailabient KILBURN: SC sales every Sat, 10am
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