ruling class pior to give them a second chance in the ever more likely event cond line of defence' shows this to be the case.
If we understand this then we ought to realise that the left's opportunity is not 'in the next decade as Phil Hearse pur it, bui here and now.
Articles which gaze into crystal bails and tell us that the 'SDP will not survive iis fist period intoc fice restrict themselve that the Bennite left 'open itsell up to a debate aboul what precisely constitutes 6211.i capitalist policies' are not what our movement needs al the moment Socialist Challenge aiready has a programme and its policies are the ones that can enable the labour movernent to defeat the So - don't let yourself distracted fairground illusions Phil; keep your eyes on what the are doing write articles that give us a ane for ine sirweele can't afford idle seculation Wacan t wai ten vears. We are fighting TOMMY CUSACK Harrow, London Gabriel, as well as articles on France, the Fourth International and a major editorial on problems of the Central American revolution. International Marxist Review will make available in English many of the theoretical writings from Fourth International leaders which are at present only To subscribe to International Viewpoint: Make out bank or postal cheque to 'PEC' (E16 for 25 issues surface mail, £18 airmail) and send to International Viewpoint, 2 rue Richard Lenoir, 93108 Montreuil, France. North American readers send $31 (surface mail) or $39 (air mail). To subscribe to International Marxist Review send £4.50 ($11) to IMR, PO Box 50. London N1 2XP Phil Hearse replies ing with the rise of the represents anything political crisis in both the labour the failure of Thatcherism to solve the crisis worse for those sections of the bourgeoisie based switch their allegiance to the SDP/Liberal alliance.
the ruing class.
the constituencies.
split in the unions, but with that potential as much is not to be dazzled' by the media or connei io recognise the reality. These developments are ne:
'ruling ciass plot . They represent profound difter side the bourgecisie about how to deal with the movement and the crisis. That's why the face o politics is being cumpletely transformed, and wi will almost certainiy be three major parties in parla after the next election SDP/Liberals.
i agree with conrade Cusak thar we have io eur SDP an hot representing a working class alternariv Tonei. But to get a Labour government comma socialist policies elected, in is mas enough to campa adoprion of an anti-capiralist programme by De moveme". That': eh? ine Labour Part neer debate.
Our programme is very Fighting here ond now, having a line for this or thar :.? nie, is met coumerposed to conducting the broadert e bia debate about a programme for goverument. O: contrary, the combativity of the working class needs orienated towards an anti-capitalist plan in solve The Labour Party can. debate about the programmie for the next Labour gove silent in favour ci are doing' is to retreat from the real political debates go. on, and to surrender in advance to left reformism.
Socialist Challenge THE QUESTION to come to grips with in deal.
SDP is whether fundamental in politics. Is there a split developing in the labour movemant? is bourgeois politics recompos ing? Or is the SDP just a marginal side-show?
The point i was making in the article is that the rise of the SDP is a product of the profound movement and the ruling class, brought about by both the fallure of successive Labour governments and Thatcherism, far from solving the crisis, has made :
manufacturing. If the Tories stay wedded to Thatcher sr аепове Rees ao coreinaiarve secions ] the bourgeoisie will be prepared to dump the Tories arc Of course, this could easily lead to a national govert ment, involving people like Heath and or the Labour rish: wne. lhe nobtical essence of such a move wolid bestaci ly as! builined -- a big switch of the political allegiance» ::
Icl'slock at the problem from the point of vien of he working class. The rise of Bennism has made Labour 'u'. safe as the second line of defence for the ruling class. E er a nehi wing cabour govement would he under ra pressure from the Bennite ranks — both in the unions ::o the bourgeoisie engineered a split in the Labour Pariy, noi vet invoiving a We are faced therefore with a massive recompositis: of British politics, involving both the major classes. Tr := L200ur. Tories different Bei Regretfully, Socialist Challenge will not form the ::
To abstain c keeping your eyes on what de wote MARXIST 14 January 1982
inated him.