TONY Benn's decision to stand for deputy leader of the Labour Party provides an excellent opportunity to consolidate the gains of the left.
intends to prioritise the fight for left-wing policies, and the election will be a crucial test of where the party stands.
But what a miserable response Has •TON the trade union leaders and LICI parliamentary Labour Party, backed by a deluge of abuse from the media.
Now that an electoral college Shas Deer eStablished for the election of the leader and aCDuLy leader, the Labour leadership has discovered that it is 'undemocratic' and 'divisive' to use it!
it appears, are about bureaucrauc stitch-ups between trade union and parliamentary leaders: about a Benn has made it absolutely clear that he discussion of policy and a Particularly disVULC graceful are the statements by Alan Fisher of the Public Employees, and Ene enter tom Alex Kitthe Transport Union both urging Benn not to stand.
NUPE and TGWU members should ask their leaders. wi voss avans and Alan Fisher really cast Ther vote. •TOI genus Healey, candidate of the Monetary Fund, austerity plans of the last Labour government and member of the Bildeberg group of bankers?
Even worse is the attitude of many members of the Tribune group in parliament, who are bleating about the need for party unity.
Unity, of is the past thi tight the past the for Labour Party 'unity' has meant acceptance the policies of he donment ot and the abandonment Labour rarty COLIC ClICC policies - in other words, sell-out pure and simple.
So are we going to see members of the Tribune group vote for Healey and all? Judith Hart Their Eric constit- неттет uency partes snould im mediately call meetings to group members back Tony Benn.
Benn's programme has OnVIollS doesn't say anything about ployment, for -hour week, and hick for struggle out the Tories, here and Socialist Challenge believes that programme is far from adequate to mobilise for an etFisher (above) and Evans and Kitson (left).
Will they vote for Healey? fective right to defeat the Tories. But it does open the way for a real discussion of socialist policies Tor une next Labour government.
far as it goes it should be supported. The campaign LOI benn pro vides the best terrain to hammer out an action pro gramme to face the Tors attacks and push forward socialist t policies.
If the leaders of the Labour Party the unions don't want to sup port Benn, then the rank and file should force them Labour Party 'ade unic branch lould discuss the depu leadership and decide its policy.
The union executive committees should be bombarded with motions demanding support for Benn. Every union conference must hear Benn speak - and in the best traditions of democracy, let Healey speak as well.
Let's have debates up and down the country, and see who the rank and file supports Socialist Challenge calls on all its readers and supporters to urgently take up the campaig widest discussion Market.
service cuts. • Benn's five-point Withdrawal from the Common A non-nuclear defence strategy. no Cruise, no Trident.
A return to full employment. • Full restoration of the social Extension of democracy, including defence of the democratic rights of women and blacks.
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