Militant sectarianism defeats itself

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ONE BLACK spot in an otherwise successful conference was the divisive and disruptive approach Teading Militant supporters at COnTErEnCE The main proposal they put forward called for "a single united campaign the WHen-TIE and for the conference simply to join with the Labour Steering CommitAgainst the Witchhunt (established from the September Wembley conference) and wind up.

Delegates rejected this proposal. First. they argued, unity would not be achieved simply by ramming two organisations with different functions into a single body. It would be achieved by joint action expulsions. Sccond, the new campaign would be directly accoun table to the official bodies of the labour movement.

Militant's resolution was not a proposal for unity. It would have split the new campaign and forced chose attending the conin the hands of a body they could not control, with a clear majority of Militant supporters. No-one attending conference had any jections the decision rejected bureaucratic demand that CYCEYURE the should be These tactics rebounded on the comrades of the Miltant: and SO demonstrated that the way to deal with the Militant is by political ArE CHIS and not by witch-hunts or manouevres.

Militant had every opportunity to pur their case Even knowing they intend ed -to put wrecking resolution -to inc terence, the stering committee invited both a Mili TORATE a YS speaker, Many Militant supporters spoke in the debate. And at the end of the day they Tost - in a vote of all delegates preSocialist Challenge welcomes the late participation of Millert in Ine campaign a cantoms against the cannot be united unles Miltant take part in it. We call on all our readers to support all the activities now Militant defence. LOWE address straight proposal to these comrades. It is not in your own best interests, nor in the interests of the left, to your leaders effectvely - to spit in the faces of those who are trying to defend They and you should back the new campaign, build its activity, and take part in its work Or their sec tarianism will continue to explode in your faces.

Socialist Challenge 5 November 1982