choice D Hughes' letter (12 Feb) misses the point In wanting Socialist Challenge to decide between forming a revolutionary party outside the wholly inside to extend the struggle for democracy he forgets the fundamental relationshir between the LP and the unions.
Unless trades unionists also fight for democratic representation the unions then the block vote is a democratic sham This does not mean that we should argue for a separation between the LP and the unions, but rather extend the fight within the party into the allions To have a clear position on this does mean that SC should make up its mind in relation to the LP - it is not a simple choice of either -Other.
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the trade union role is crucial.
The other point comrade Hughes misses is the role ot a paper and effects on readers. The fact that he writes to SC : reveals one of its ; areas of influence read members of the LP and that the ideas expressec in its columns not only retiect but also develot and extend debates in that party.
A newspaper cannot in that sense be a 'mere observer', just as the passive reflector events, interprets them support the comrade Hughes misunderstands that perfectiy possible for representing revolutionary ideas to intervene and rework those ideas with the left of the LP in the joint struggle achieve socialism; we in the LP should be pleased by its support rather than dismissive because thal support is only now evident.
JANE KELLY, Peckham Constituency Labour Party THE/BOOKSHOP Edited by Raphael Samuel People's History and Socialist Theory Routledge and Kegan Paul, £6.95 This comprehensive collection of Marxist essays on history brings together and develops the work groups, community publishing projects, labour history societies and Its contributors include Perry Anderson Sheila Rowbotham and EP Thompson, and 1 covers a wide range of topics such as feminism, Edited by Mike Prior The Popular and the Political Routledge and Kegan Paul, £6.95 written mainly members of the Communist Party provides a reap praisal of socialist strategy for the 1980s taking into account the failings of the left in Britain in the 328 Up . Tel: 01-226 0571 'Socialist Challenge 26 February 1981 Page 7