Lessons of the GLC By Tessa van Gelderen The new council will have no alternative but to lead massive and against the government and speed the election of a Labour government. 'We will seek to unite Labour local authorities and the trade union movement in a mass campaign to bring down this government and the system it represents at the earliest possible opportunity.' year separates these two statements and much water nas Howed under the bridge in that time. The first was said by Ken Livingstone, now leader of the GL.C, he elections last May.
The second was part of statement published in he April issue of London Labour Briefing and signed by many Labour can. didates for the local eleccions as well as GLC councillors, including Ken Livingstone.
The statement does : ecognise that the GLC -as been 'forced to retreat on a number of issues' There is at present much Bitterness and acrimony "ide the Labour jett ir London over -egarded as betrayal in left iouncillors on the GLC. continuing campaign decided upon Labour Greater London Party. It failed to decrease the price of school dinners, sold council houses, and despite London Transport, is has the fares London just increased them by 100 cent after the Law Lords' ruling. Head It has been the fares issue abave all else that has brought matters to a head. The left has been thrown into disarray as to what is the best strategy to adopt.
Last year at the London Labour Briefing conference policy 'disengagement' was was refuse to carry out Tory cul ovelle cone rens of office and letting chaos ensue.
Yet the Labour group Thatter. There is no the matter. There GLC has Inane been faced a most and sustained onslaught from both the and the Tories, press directly through the penalties imposed by Heseltine as well as the verdicts handed down by the courts.
Issue The real issue at stake for both the GIC and all left councillors and councis elected next week is o parts defeated, manifesto get but how the left take on Photo: GM COOKSON Whatever their honourable intentions, neither Ted Knight nor Ken Livingstone can carry out election promises without a firm base in the labour movement Livingstone put i that has been the GLC's undo. ing And of course, it is verv OUTTICUlT TOr people like Ken Livingstone to Icau such campaign when they vote for Tory Nor is it enough to CUt. plead, as Lambeth Council Ted Knight, wont to do, that the problem is that movement, in particular the trade unions. are no outside the halls waiting to give support.
Tories At time when issue, fares school dincouncil house sales. and so on, the Labour group should have voted to carry out its manifesto pledges and have carried that fight into the workplaces, well as trade union and Labour Party branches.
Norm This is a decisive break the 'campaigning' that is the norm inside the Labour Party. Immediately after the Denning judgment huge demonstrations and rallies should been organised, the Law Lords should have beer Telephone 01 226 057° Socialism and War Lenin 50p pb Progress The Collapse of the Second International Lenin 25p pb Progress The Transitional Programme Trotsky 30p Pamphlet The Other Press Writings on Leon ¡rotsky (1935-30)
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is the shop stewards and convenors, particularly those in the council and transport unions.
Not oniv are thev the best allies in the fight that has to come against this government, they are in tact the only ones who can bring Thatcher finally lo her knees.
Labour councillors should carry out their promises not lo make cuts That means a freezing fit not reduction) of rents and rates and not a job to he lost. Trade unionists may Open 10-6 Mon Tues Sat; 12-7 Wed; 11-7 Thurs Fri Readings on Socialism and War Writings of Leon Trotsky (1939-40)
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