The immediate reason, according to Mortimer, was legal problems involved. Wiltant says it has been informed that, in its own words '(1) the register is, in fact, unconstitutional and could be subject to the courts; and (2) any individual members expelled under the provisions of the register could challenge his or her expulsion in the courts.' Clause II(3) of the constitution, Militant DUllILS Vul that which is used to justify the register, only lays down conditions for affiliation to the party. "The clause does not say, or even imply,' says Militant, 'that members of non-affiliated organisations cannot members of the Labour Party.' Jim Mortimer and everyone who backee register now look absolute fools. This need not worry But the Labour Party as a Campaigning priorities socialist policies and against the witch-hunt acceptance of expulsions. JOHN GOLDING'S new model Organisation Committee has come a cropper at its very first meeting.
On Labour Party Secretary Jim Mortimer's recommendation, it decided on 10 October to postpone any decision on expelling Militant supporters until the National Executive meets on 24 November next week.
whole has to pay a price while the these people are in charge of it. our leaders can't understand legal technicalities raise by small newspaper which themselves claim is 'not of this how can they run the country?
The only way out is to drop te wnole thing, register, expulsions and all.
But there are no signs the NEC is going to do this. It is to discuss new ways of expelling the Militant. And Golding has now extended his campaign. On Saturday night's television programme A Week to the be CLPD.
Committee took the extraordinary step of threatening to disband Hornsey Constituency Labour Party unless it kicks our lario All justification is there Lobby the NEC on 24 November - bring banners Send messages and resolutions of support to Hornsey, Bermondsey and letters of protest to the NEC Ensure your organisation affilates to LAW and sends a delegate to its national conference on 12 December Organise local conferences and rallies in defence of Resolutions to regional conference calling for nonfor this? Tariq Ali is not a Militant supporter. He is being excluded only for his views. even The decision on Bermondsey is if anything worse. After a socialist year in which the party they made it absolutely they Peter their candidate, they are not to NEC-imposed makes complete nonsense reselection!
So whatever the NEC is going to do, rethink its tactics, John retreat on its goal of carrying out a purge of Labour's left. I is, however, worried that it will provoke too whole of resistance in an election year. Organisation It has two possible tactics:
an all-out assault, using its extraordinary decapitate Miltant and the YS demoralising the left before it resold. more likely Golding wants to drive the left from power in the constituencies and 'pliable' constituency organisation with the bones taken out, our tne liesn lelt benina Labour Against the Witchhunt is now ever. It is only if CLPs are picked off one by one that Golding can succeed. mondsey must not be allowed to go down be the first of many. replace Reg Prentice in Newham North East.
plain that Tatchell accept shortlist. This while it may well it will not damaging powers, to probably — salami tactics.
create more vilal inal Hornsey and Ber or they will only Tariq Ali LABOUR ST BE LABOUR NOT BY • PRIME MINISTER Labour Party members demonstrate for the right to choose their own candidate - in this instance to you think this sugpost- gests it may have been a stop camagainst the right wing after Bishops Stortford? Do you agree with Tony Benn's view that we have to keep the existing leadership? favour I don't think we have any opWhy do you think the witch-hunt began?
hunt.
It's an attempt to use Clause II the supporters of IV from the Party. don't think there's any support or it amongst rank an • file Myself These measure vetoes on candidates, disbandments and expulsions are the actions of desperate people lost the hears and minds of ordinary Labour Parcan be done to assist you by the left?
We urgently need backing from other CLPs to reject this im'It is now crystal clear that the register of non-affiliated organisations said un.
of Labour Against the Witch-hunt response to the Organisa.
tion Committee's decision 'We trust the NEC will now drop its divisive campaign to expel individual members of the Party' The secretariat on warn, however, that th : Organisa tion Committee's decision to dis mus ario alto mempersnio. anc and Bermondse: • Tatchell as it candidate, would have tought.
• nese specnic proposais, sai Ernie Roberts MP, the campaign' chair, 'show the urgent need for the Labour Party to undermine Labour': chances of beating «ones. we can assure ineve : tha a purge will be opposed by LAV and all those in the Party who war to unite to defeat the Tories.
To affiliate to Labour Against the for information contact Keith Lichman, , 11 Wilder ton Road, London N16.
osition. We ask all Labou Party organisations to send let ters of protest to the NEC as a matter if urgency, and a copy to At the 30 October con. ference against the witch-hunt you spoke in of resolution 4, which called for an im. mediate fusion of the campaign the Labour Steering Commit tee Against the Witch.
What is your feeling now about the best way to get a united anti. witch-hunt campaign?
and Party supporter resolution 4 because we want to see a united campaign. • But we didn't interpret this as meanin that the 30 October campaig should dissolve, as others ap parently did We wanted LAV and LSCAW to work together in a united way and co-ordinate Socialist Challenge 20 November 1982 pago:
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right rethinks
CAMPANAN democracy
NOT BY STREET
NOT EY THEM SELVES Defend