THE 'shock' findings of the latest opinion poll published in last week's Daily Star revealed that if an election were held tomorrow, the Tories would win 25 per cent of the vote; Labour 29 per cent and the SDP/Libs 43 per cent.
Compared with the general election, it is the Tory vote which has collapsed spectacularly. As the Star said, 'Labour's vote is about the same as it was at the last general election and that's bound to be a disappointment for the Social Democrats. They are anxious to make inroads into the traditional Labour vote!
One reason is revealed statistic of the Star poll. In February only 10 per cent questioned thought that unemployment was the most important issue facing Britain today, while 51 per strikes were the main problem. Today, 2 er cent think that strikes are the pro lem and 70 per cent give first place to The SDP/Lib alliance will need more than opinion polls to get into They need hard cash and solid ruling class support. Slicing up Labour's base in the electorate is the key to that. The ruling class gives Labour's right wing. But it believes that the advance of the Labour left is too powerful to be turned round in the short term. The media boosted SDP, positioned outside Labour's ranks is aimed at providing the pressure right wing lacks inside the party and the unions.
In other words, the SDP/Lib alliance is designed to Labour left, and, failing that, to wipe out Labour's chances of forming the next government. But it is a delicate operation that can badly misfire. In the first place, growth of the SDP/Lib alliance means massive pressure tional representation. unknown factor of political instability into the Parliamentary system that has 150 years proven service to the ruling class behind it. Secondly, road' party needs a 'middle of the road' social class. This is a real problem when both major classes in society are looking for more and more radical solutions to the crisis, and looking in opposite directions.
Both the ruling class and the working class are dissatisfied with the parties who have traditionally claimed to represent their interests. But a party that claims to bridge the gap between them is going to need a degree in elastics. That is why the alliance has so little to say on office.
support to that Labour's put the skids under the for proporThis builds an La 'middle of the Edinburgh NALGO Gas Branch ALL unions in the gas industry went on strike on 13 July for one day to demonstrate to the government that they are determined not to accept the LO showrooms.
The Tories in the person or sally Oppenheim say their decision is based on the report of the Monopolies Commission into the sale of gas appliances.
But reality it is a political decision.
Private The Monopolies Commission did not recom.
sell off all gas mend that all showrooms snoula de sold oll. Ana ll any case the situation has changed considerably the Commission started investigation when there were only 500 private outlets for the sale of gas appliances through. out Britain. Now there are 2000 private outlets compared to British Gas's 938 showrooms.
The practices of which plained have been stopped by the gas corporation.
This is the first time the Monopolies Commission has recommcnaca solution monopoly holding that the organisamonopoly Luil should be forcibly removed from the market.
Wishes Of has nothing do monopolies or the market, Cana certainly do with the wishes of the gas consumer. everything to do with this Government's determination to give back to private profit any par of the public WalC making money which make money.
At the present time the Gas Corporation Is hanaing over to ine Government hundreds of millions of pounds every year. The Government has said that this must increase to £1300 million in the next three years. Ana ll is inis ina has drawn the attention of money could all be going Ho Drivalc DocKels aod.l you're a Tory, of course you will believe it should.
Wedge This is why workers who have helped to make the gas industry such a sucselling of showrooms as only the thin end of the wedge. This is the first part vi a pal lo vicak up uc industry and sell it off to the private sector.
Every worker in the industry knows this and is determined it will not happen. We intend to use all our industrial muscle to recent wave of youth rebellions.
July by SIOn skinnedas аетелсе.
unity against unemployment and racism like Southall fascists.
Turnout Brixton Defence Committee, the International Marxist Group who harass black people and youth.
keep our industry intact and in ine public sector.
The Government doesn't believe we can do it and this was the purpose of our one day strike - to con them Hicall business. Talks Between now and the autumn, the unions will be having WITs the Government in a further attempt change their minds. If these talks do not succeca, a conterena of all the unions has been called for the week starting 2 November and a decision will be • taken abou when to pull the plug on the gas supply.
Organise We will have to watch that these talks do not develop into a dialogue about how to implement the government's decision 'with the least effect on jobs etc We do not wan any talk of that kind and there is plenty of time for the shop floor to organise an Strike decision at the conference in November.
SOUTHALL in West London was the scene of some of the most bitter street fighting in the When local youth struck back at the inva hundreds fascist skinheads Her Majesty's police rushed to the In response the Southall Anti-fascist Com. mittee is organising a national demonstration on 20 September calling for the dropping of all charges against the youth arrested and for It is also urging the right of communities to self defence against the The demonstration is supported by the the Indian Workers Association (GB), the National Association for Asian Youth, the Indian temples, The Southall Communist Party and The committee puts the blame for condiunemployment and then cheer on the police There is no doubt in the community that unemployment and racism go side by side.
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The state of the parties
National demonstra- tion called in Southall